The Philippine National Police (PNP) confirmed on Monday the dismissal from service of Patrolman Rodulfo Gracioso Jr., who recently claimed to have delivered suitcases filled with cash to Vice President Sara Duterte and members of her family.
Speaking during an ambush interview at Camp Crame, PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. clarified that Gracioso’s dismissal stemmed from an administrative case filed several years ago during his assignment with the Police Regional Office in Calabarzon.
“Gracioso was investigated (concerning an) administrative case and there was a corresponding criminal case filed against him. But that was long before. It think it’s a case in year 2022 or 2021,” said Nartatez.
“So now the administration of justice in terms of the admin(istrative) case was finally resolved, resulting in his dismissal from the service,” said Nartatez.
Nartatez noted that Gracioso had previously served a suspension connected to the same administrative matter before his official dismissal took effect on September 11 on three counts of grave misconduct. He also confirmed that Gracioso previously served as security detail or staff for former House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco during the Duterte administration.
The dismissal comes after Gracioso surfaced last week alleging that he personally transported cash-filled suitcases to Vice President Sara Duterte, former President Rodrigo Duterte, and Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte. The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is currently examining his claims.
Addressing the allegations in a separate interview at Camp Crame, Interior and Local Government Secretary Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla stated that government authorities will rigorously assess Gracioso’s claims.
“Of course we’re going to look into the veracity of his statement, if he really delivered (cash). We cannot immediately accept it as truth,” said Remulla.
“We will study him. He will undergo the rigorous procedures of investigation to determine the veracity of his statement…But we will take all of his statements with all seriousness to ferret out the truth,” added Remulla.
Regarding Gracioso’s request for protection, Remulla emphasized that decisions rest with the Department of Justice (DOJ).
“The DOJ will assess if he is worthy to be accepted into the Witness Protection (Program). That’s not my call, that’s DOJ (call) . If the DOJ says he is a credible witness, then he will be placed under witness protection,” said Remulla.