By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Calling the sacked ex-Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) agent Jonathan Morales a “pathological liar,” House Assistant Majority Leader and Ako Bicol Partylist Rep. Raul Angelo “Jil” D. Bongalon has dared the Senate Committee on Public Order chaired by Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa to call confessed Davao Death Squad (DDS) member Arturo Lascañas and veteran anti-drug operative Eduardo Acierto to the so-called “PDEA leaks” hearings of the Senate.
On Monday (13 May 2024), Bongalon noted that instead of focusing on the testimony of Morales who had been dismissed from PDEA due to dishonesty and misconduct, Dela Rosa should invite Lascañas and Acierto instead as they are more credible witnesses in the illegal drugs trade.
“Kasi kung pinag-uusapan lang naman natin yung droga, para kasi nakikita natin one-sided yung investigation and wala naman po tayong nakukuhang credible testimony or information being said by this dismissed PDEA Agent (Morales). Kung pag-uusapan lang naman natin yung droga, bakit ‘di natin patawagin si Lascañas o si Acierto?” Bongalon said in a press conference on Monday (13 May 2024)
The Bicolano lawmaker said if Dela Rosa can invite Lascañas and Acierto to the inquiry, then they can shed light on the anti-drug war of the previous administration.
“I can recommend them to be part of this investigation and we’ll see. Kasi itong mga taong ito alam naman natin na naging bahagi na ito ng imbestigasyon noon pa, at sila po ay may mga dokumentong pinepresenta, may co-plan, may legitimate operations and therefore, for the purposes of having a fair discussion about drug related cases, let’s call these guys, Acierto and Lascañas,” Bongalon said.
He further noted that the integrity of the Senate as an institution is already suffering with the continued testimony of Morales as allowed by Dela Rosa.
(el Amigo/MNM)
