DISMISSED police colonel Eduardo Acierto on Wednesday accused businessman Michael Yang, a former adviser to then-President Rodrigo Duterte, of being deeply involved in illegal drugs.
Acierto made the assertion during his virtual appearance before the House Committee on Dangerous Drugs, which is investigating the P3.6-billion drug bust in Mexico, Pampanga last year.
Earlier in the hearing, the committee, chaired by Surigao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, cited Yang in contempt and ordered his arrest for repeatedly failing to appear before the panel to address his alleged involvement in the drug bust.
Yang was linked to an incorporator of Empire 999 Realty Corp., which owns the warehouse in Mexico town where the P3.6 billion worth of shabu was seized.
In his opening statement, Acierto described himself as a long-time anti-drug crusader and a former member of the Anti-Illegal Drug Group of the Philippine National Police (PNP).
“Ako din po ang parehong Police Col. Eduardo Acierto na matagal nang pinapahanap at pinapapatay ng dating Pangulong Duterte sa militar at kapwa ko police,” Acierto said, accusing the former president of ordering his execution due to his knowledge of Yang and other personalities’ involvement in illegal drug activities.
Acierto, implicated in drug smuggling, has been in hiding since 2019.
In his testimony, Acierto implicated Yang and his business partner Allan Lim, noting their close ties to Duterte and then-Special Assistant to the President and now Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go.
He claimed that he and Police Capt. Lito Perote had discovered these illegal activities and reported them, but Perote has since gone missing and is presumed dead.
“Sila Michael Young at Allan Lim na malapit nilang kaibigan ni Sen. Bong Go. Ako po at kasamahan kong si Police Capt. Lito Perote ang nakadiskubre ng mga illegal na aktibidad at gumawa ng report tungkol kay Michael Yang at Allan Lim,” he recounted.
Expressing fear for his life, Acierto revealed that the threats against him have persisted.
“Matagal na akong natatakot para sa aking buhay dahil ako ay pinapapatay ni Duterte. Sila po ay maimpluensya hanggang ngayon,” he said, calling for an end to the influence and impunity enjoyed by Duterte and his associates.
He also made a bold assertion about the former president and his allies, including then-PNP chief and now Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, during his presentation to the Barbers panel.
“Therefore, Rodrigo Roa Duterte, Bong Go, and Bato dela Rosa are protecting and are integral to the security of the illegal drugs network operating in the country,” Acierto declared.
“They allowed the entry of large volumes of illegal drugs through our ports and supported the syndicates by defending them, targeting those that go against them, and playing dumb to true justice,” he added.
Acierto also mentioned the hope he has found in the current administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., citing the pursuit of justice in the case of former Sen. Leila de Lima as a positive sign.
“Nakita ko po sa panahon ni Pangulong Marcos nagkaroon ng hustisya sa kaso ni Sen. Leila de Lima. Nanalangin po ako na sana din magkaroon ng hustisya ang aking kaso at magkaroon ng accountability sa mga kasalanan ni Duterte, Bong Go at Bato de la Rosa,” he stated.
He also took the chance to vehemently deny the accusations against him, asserting that they were fabricated to discredit him and his findings.
“Hindi po ako protektor ng sindikato ng droga. Hindi ako kidnapper, wala akong ginugot o pinaransom ng drug personalities,” Acierto declared, adding that he had consistently opposed Duterte’s orders to destroy evidence such as shabu laboratories. (
