By Jeffrey Damicog
Jesuit priest Fr. Albert Alejo has denied he had a hand in the “Ang Totoong Narcolist” viral videos, including the christening of Peter Joemel Advincula as “Bikoy” and calling the destabilization plot against the administration as “Project Sodoma.”
Jesuit Fr. Albert Alejo (CBCP / MARTINA SUMMER DAGAL / MANILA BULLETIN)
Because of this, Alejo has asked the panel of prosecutors conducting the preliminary investigation to dismiss the complaint filed against him by the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) concerning the videos.
“I sincerely hope and pray that this Honorable Panel in proceeding with the investigation of the instant case, to be steadfast to stand by its solemn duty to see t it that this investigation be not only for the prosecuting the guilty, but most importantly, to ‘secure the innocent against hasty, malicious, and oppressive prosecutions, and to protect the innocent from open and public accusation of crime, from the trouble, expense and anxiety of a public trial, and to protect the State from useless and expensive trials,” read his counter-affidavit.
In its complaint, the PNP-CIDG accused 36 persons, including Alejo, of of having committed sedition, inciting to sedition, cyber libel, libel, estafa, harboring a criminal, and obstruction of justice.
The case stemmed from the “Ang Totoong Narcolist” videos which features the hooded Bikoy that accused a number of personalities, including members of the Duterte family, as being involved in the illegal drugs trade.
“As averred by Mr. Advincula, he was engaged by the respondents to spread lies against the President, his family and close associate, making them to appear as illegal trade protectors and how they earned staggering amounts of money,” read the PNP-CIDG complaint.
Advincula stated in his sworn statement that he went to the Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) back in August 2018, looking for work and was accepted as a research assistant of Alejo with a pay of P25,000.
He claimed that the planning for the destabilization plot was made as early as December 2018 with the participation of Alejo.
Advincula claimed Alejo was the one who gave the name “Bikoy” to him, as well as the one who called the destabilization plot as “Project Sodoma.
The whistleblower said he uploaded the videos, which he, himself, voiced using the servers of the ADMU back in April.
“A perusal, however, of the letter-referral and Sinumpaang Salaysay of co-respondent Peter Joemel Advincula would readily reveal the fabricated nature of the complaint filed against me,” Alejo stated.
“Thus, I categorically deny any participation in each of the allegations against me that are inconsistent with the averments contained in this counter-affidavit,” he added.
On the other hand, Alejo admitted taking in Advincula since the alleged whistleblower claimed to have “abandoned his job fearing for his life, seeking justice and spiritual solace from God, professing truths about his background, with a willingness to even die for his convictions.”
“This was how Peter Joemel Advincula presented himself when he arrived,” the priest recounted.
“Thus, it is certainly unfounded, for Advincula to claim that: he came simply looking for a job; that I gave the name Project Sodoma; that I have taken part in the meetings to plan a destabilization plot against the President and his administration; or that I have committed acts in violation of the law or against the Government,” he stated.
“Sincerely, I categorically deny these false allegations,” Alejo reiterated.