Bikoy not yet off the hook: PNP chief

FILE: Mugshot and booking procedure of Peter Joemel Advincula alias “Bikoy”. Advincula tags Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV and the Liberal Party as the masterminds behind the controversial “Ang Totoong Narcolist” video. (Photo: PNP-PIO via Phil News Agency/Twitter)

MANILA – Peter Joemel Advincula alias ‘Bikoy’ is not yet off the hook despite his decision to voluntarily surrender to the police, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, Gen. Oscar Albayalde, said on Monday.

“Yes (he is not yet off the hook). Hindi kami ang puwedeng magsabi kung siya ay puwedeng maging (It is not us who will determine if he can be a) witness or respondent. It’s up to the court,” said Albayalde in a press conference at Camp Crame.

Abayalde said Advincula, accompanied by his legal counsel, voluntarily surrendered to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) on May 27.

He said the man who claimed to be Bikoy has submitted evidence to back up his claim that Senator Antonio Trillanes IV and several Liberal Party members were behind the series of videos against President Rodrigo Duterte and several members of his family.

“Lahat ng sinabi ni Bikoy (Everything Bikoy has said) will all be validated, lahat ng mga pangalan (all the names) will be part of our investigation. In fact, Bikoy will be part of the investigation,” Albayalde said.

Albayalde said it is the court that will decide should Advincula ask for protection.

“Remember, probably he will ask for protection, he can also be a respondent here. Hindi namin sinasabi na siya ay isang witness or a suspect. It’s up to the court para magdecide kung sila sasabihin nila si Bikoy ay puwedeng maging witness or sya isang suspect din. It’s up to the court pag file ng kaso (We’re not saying that Bikoy is a witness or a suspect. It’s up to the court to decide. It’s up to the court to file case),” Albayalde said.

“It depends on the evidence that will be gathered at binigay niya sa atin at yung resulta ng (that he gave to us and the results of) validation. Accordingly, he submitted the desktop and cellphone,” he added.

CIDG director, Brig. Gen. Amador Corpus said Advincula surrendered his desktop computer, cellular phone which allegedly contains exchange of text messages between him and the people he claimed to be behind the “Ang Totoong Narcolist” videos.

Corpus said they are already coordinating with the security personnel of the places that Advincula mentioned to get copies of CCTV footages which may support his claims.

He said Advincula was placed under protective custody on May 27 when he returned to the police.

“He voluntarily surrendered himself and requested for protective custody. He is now under investigation,” he said.

Advincula surrendered on May 23 to face estafa charges filed against him but he left police custody after posting bail.