Former police officer Eduardo Acierto has accused former president Rodrigo Duterte of orchestrating the deaths of two of his associates to suppress information related to Duterte’s alleged connections with individuals linked to illegal drugs. Acierto made these statements during a House quad committee hearing on extrajudicial killings, illegal drugs, and Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) held on Thursday.
According to Acierto, his investigation had exposed Duterte’s protection of Michael Yang and Allan Lim, both implicated in drug-related activities. “’Yung pinakamalaking accomplishment ko is ‘yung nadiskubre namin ‘yung proteksyon na binigay ni dating pangulo Duterte sa dalawang drug personalities na si Michael Yang at Allan Lim…,” Acierto stated, adding that the discovery came at a significant cost.
He revealed that two of his colleagues met tragic ends—Captain Pirote was allegedly abducted in Bacolod on April 19, 2019, and retired Master Sergeant Liwanag was killed on February 24, 2021. When asked who was behind these incidents, Acierto pointed directly to Duterte, saying, “Wala pong iba kung ‘di ang dating pangulo Duterte dahil gusto niya kaming patahimikin dahil do’n sa nadiskubre naming involvement ni Michael Yang at Allan Lim.”
