Robredo to discuss 'palit-ulo' scheme with DILG chief

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Leni Robredo is set to meet Interior Secretary Ismael Sueno after the Holy Week to discuss the alleged police "palit-ulo" scheme amid President Rodrigo Duterte's brutal war on drugs.

In an interview with DZMM on Tuesday, Robredo said that she was able to talk to Sueno when they met at the graduation rights for the Philippine National Police Academy "Masidlak Class" of 2017 last Friday.

"Sinabi ko sa kanya, sabi ko, sec. iyong aking report, talagang ano iyon totoo. Puwede bang sa iyo ko i-report? Puwede ba akong mag-seek ng appointment sa iyo?" Robredo said.

Sueno agreed to meet, but told Robredo that he is only available after the Holy Week which starts on April 9 and ends on April 15.

"Ang pakiusap niya sa akin after the Holy Week. So i-mi-meet ko siya after the Holy Week, ibibigay ko sa kanya ang detalye," Robredo said.

The report the vice president mentioned was included in a video message sent to the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs.

Citing reports from the ground, Robredo said that the the scheme involves police officers taking out a relative of a drug personality on a so-called drug list who cannot be located.

While Philippine National Police Director General Ronald dela Rosa admitted that there are known "palit-ulo" incidents, he denied the version of the vice president.

"Palit-ulo, wherein ikaw nahuli kita may drug pusher ka, ngayon palit-ulo ilaglag mo sino ‘yung supplier mo or sino ‘yung drug lord sa taas, kung masasabi mo ‘yan, hindi naman actually papalayain, depende lang, for a lesser offense ('Palit ulo' is only when a drug suspect accused of a lesser crime will be asked to reveal his bosses or suppliers in exchange for a milder offense," Dela Rosa said.

READ: Palace: Robredo 'misinformed' on alleged police 'palit-ulo' scheme

Robredo, meanwhile, said that she also wants to discuss with Sueno the protection of the urban poor who reported to her office the abuses of the police. Fearing for their safety, the witnesses, however, will not be asked to testify, she added.

"Kasi ang hinihingi sa amin proteksyon, na hindi ko naman ma, hindi ako makapag-promise na ma-poprotect ko sa kanila kasi wala naman akong, wala naman akong capability na magbigay ng protection," Robredo said.

Robredo also expressed her hope that her meeting with Sueno will push through.