[av_one_full first min_height=” vertical_alignment=” space=” custom_margin=” margin=’0px’ padding=’0px’ border=” border_color=” radius=’0px’ background_color=” src=” background_position=’top left’ background_repeat=’no-repeat’ animation=”]
[av_heading heading=’Ex-cop recants ‘order to kill’ testimony – Lacson’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=’30’ subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”][/av_heading]
[av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=”]
Tuesday, October 3, 2017
[/av_textblock]
[av_textblock size=’18’ font_color=” color=”]
MANILA – An officer who resigned after claiming that the police were being ordered to kill illegal drug suspects has recanted his statement, Sen. Panfilo Lacson said yesterday.
After some “soul-searching,” former police officer Vincent Tacorda withdrew his testimony in an affidavit dated July 3 but executed on June 29, Lacson said during a Senate hearing into the killing of minors.
“I have done some serious soul-searching, and I have come to realize that I love my organization, and I continue to hold it and its ranks in the highest respect despite some sad experiences I went through,” Tacorda said in a letter read by Lacson.
In an earlier affidavit, dated May 10, Tacorda said he was tasked to kill five to 10 drug personalities. The office of Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV furnished the press a copy of this affidavit.
“Because of the pressure to deliver, I acceded and request for a list from which I can choose from,” Tacorda said in this affidavit.
Tacorda also said he was given a picture of his target and a folder with the words “Pusher ako, huwag tularan (I’m a pusher, don’t emulate)” handwritten in red marker.
Designated the role of a “shooter,” the former police officer claimed he was given an P800 budget for food and lodging.
“I am executing this affidavit to expose the anomalies and illegal activities that members of the PNP (Philippine National Police) have committed and is continuously committing, with the end goal of hopefully trying to reform the organization where I once belonged,” he had said.
Tacorda said he tendered his resignation on April 26.
Meanwhile, Lacson asked Philippine National Police chief Ronald Dela Rosa to bring Tacorda in the next Senate hearing so they could find out which of his testimonies was true.
Tacorda was invited to the Monday hearing but refused to show up, Lacson said.
Dela Rosa said Tacorda made the disclosure after charges were filed against him for allegedly killing a Bicol-based media personality. (PNA)
[/av_textblock]
[/av_one_full]
