- PMA Class of ’88 rallies behind former PDEA chief Villanueva
THE PHILIPPINE Military Academy (PMA) Maringal Class of 1988 has issued a manifesto expressing support for former Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) chief Wilkins Villanueva, who was recently cited for contempt by the House of Representatives committee on dangerous drugs.
“We, the members of the Philippine Military Academy “Maringal” Class of 1988, strongly express our unwavering support for our mistah, former PDEA director general Wilkins M. Villanueva, and his commitment to justice amidst the unjust and unfounded contempt citation by the House of Representatives Quad Committee. Any move to detain DG Villanueva would represent not only a misapplication of authority but a serious affront to fairness, due process, and the respect due to an individual who has honorably served our nation,” the manifesto stated.
Among the 62 notable signatories are several high-ranking retired officers, including former Department of National Defense Secretary and former Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff, General Jose C. Faustino Jr., and former Philippine National Police Chief, General Dionardo B. Carlos.
On Dec.12, the quad committee of the House of Representatives cited former Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) director general Wilkins Villanueva in contempt for allegedly lying under oath.
It also cited police Col. Hector Grijaldo in contempt and ordered his arrest after he failed to attend a hearing for the fourth time.
Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, quad comm lead chair, ordered a copy of the arrest order to be sent to the Philippine National Police (PNP) for implementation. However, in Villanueva’s case, Barbers said the implementation would be delayed, in the spirit of Christmas, to Jan. 13, 2025, when the House resumes its regular session.
The manifesto cited Villanueva’s integrity, courage, and selfless service throughout his distinguished career as a law enforcer and head of the PDEA.
“The accusations made against him, unsupported by credible evidence, cast doubt on the integrity of the process. Any move to detain DG Villanueva would risk eroding public trust in the institutions tasked with upholding justice and fairness,” it said.
Beyond Villanueva’s ordeal, the retired officers said the issue is a pivotal moment for democratic institutions, presenting a clear choice: Will they stand as bastions of truth, justice, and integrity, or will they allow actions that could set a dangerous precedent, where power overshadows fairness and reason?
“We affirm our complete support for DG Villanueva and his pursuit of justice. His exemplary career stands as a testament to the values of honor and service, and we remain confident that these principles will ultimately prevail. We stand firmly with him during this challenging time and believe that upholding justice in his case will strengthen public trust in the nation’s democratic institutions,” it reads.
The manifesto was signed by the Members of the Philippine Military Academy “Maringal” Class of 1988.
Among the signatories were former Western Mindanao Command Chief, retired Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan Jr.; Lt. Gen. Franco Nemesio Gacal; former Inspector General of the AFP and former 4th Infantry Division Commander, retired Maj. Gen. Reuben Basiao, former commander of 10th Infantry Division; retired Maj. Gen. Gilbert Saret, former Inspector General of the Philippine Army and former brigade commander of the 1001st Infantry Brigade in the 10th Infantry Division; Maj. Gen. Generoso Ponio, former acting commander of Western Mindanao Command and the 1st Infantry Division.
Others include retired Rear Admiral Joselito Dela Cruz of the Philippine Coast Guard and former Vice Chief of Staff of the AFP, Lt. Gen. Erickson Gloria, Lt Gen. Arnulfo Burgos, former commander of Northern Luzon Command, Read Admiral Ramil Enriquez, former commander of Western Command and former commander of Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao Command (NFEM), and Maj Gen Pio Diñoso III, former commander of Visayas Command.
Sy’s testimony
The discussion involving Villanueva during yesterday’s 13th hearing was centered on the complaint of detainee Jed Pilapil Sy, wife of suspected drug lord and Chinese national Allan Sy.
Mrs. Sy testified that she was arrested and made to sign an affidavit by her lawyer – a waiver about her arrest without the benefit of a warrant of arrest – in their house in Domoy, Davao City in 2004.
She said she was sentenced to imprisonment and jailed for the past 20 years for charges that she did not commit.
Her husband, she added, was killed by authorities before her arrest.
The quad comm questioned Villanueva about the warrantless arrest, but he evaded giving direct answers.
Asked by Pampanga 3rd District Rep. Aurelio Gonzales Jr. if PDEA agents had a warrant of arrest when they arrested and jailed Mrs. Sy, Villanueva said the woman was not jailed and was just invited for an interview.
“Since it’s already delegated to my investigators, I don’t know how many days she was there. My instruction is to interview Jed Pilapil Sy because she is a person of interest,” Villanueva said.
“As to detaining her, I have no personal knowledge, Mr. Chair. We are busy conducting follow-up operations and investigation on other sites where the warehouses are located,” he added.
Photo courtesy of PMA Maringal Class of ’88
