Senators, PDEA question credibility of ex-agent Morales during hearing
HEARING ON ALLEGED LEAKED DOCUMENTS: Former agent of the Philippine Drugs Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Jonathan Morales attends the continuation of the investigation conducted by the Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs Monday, May 13, 2024, on the alleged leak of PDEA documents. During the second hearing held last May 7, Morales claimed several individuals attempted to block his participation in the hearing. (Bibo Nueva España/Senate PRIB)
Former Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) agent Jonathan Morales’ credibility became highly questionable during the Senate hearing on alleged PDEA leaks after he admitted to planting evidence, which later resulted to his dismissal from service.
Not only senators but also former PDEA officials revealed Morales’ string of criminal and administrative cases, seriously damaging his credibility during the hearing of the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs on Monday, May 13.
Former PDEA director general Arturo Cacdac revealed that Morales had admitted to falsifying his testimony and planting evidence during an operation against alleged Filipino-Chinese drug suspects.
“Mr. Morales said that the contents of his affidavit were false because the evidence were fabricated and the evidence planted,” Cacdac said, citing a memorandum by the PDEA Legal and Prosecution Service dated December 26, 2012.
“Kaya ako po ay namangha. Ang tagal ko po sa serbisyo, ngayon lang ako nakaranas nang ganun. Samantala mga ahente po natin na hindi nag-aappear sa korte, at nadi-dismiss ang kaso, kinakasuhan na po namin agad,” the former PDEA chief stressed.
Following Cacdac’s statements, Morales was asked to respond and said, “Totoo po ‘yung sinasabi ni General Cacdac.”
PDEA Legal and Prosecution Service acting director Atty. Francis del Valle also stressed that “the name Bongbong Marcos alyas Bonget does not appear in the national drug information system or interagency drug information database. Hence, he has never been included in the drug war list.”
Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri also said that Morales has never shown any evidence that corroborates his series of unfounded accusations during the Senate hearings.
“While certain claims were made, documentary evidence is yet to be presented. There were no pictures, no corroborating testimonies. In other words, this was solely based on a testimony of one person based on what appears to be hearsay evidence,” Zubiri said.
“Kailangan ng ebidensya. Hindi pwedeng sabi-sabi lang at pinapaalala natin ang halaga na mapagkakatiwalaang resources. Walang tsismis, walang pulitika, katotohanan lang.”
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