PNP disputes Gracioso's claim he was unaware of dismissal

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The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday disputed the claim of Patrolman Rodulfo Gracioso Jr. that he was unaware of his dismissal from police service.

“I highly doubt that na hindi niya alam kasi nag-appeal na nga po siya,” PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Allen Rae Co said at a press briefing.

(I highly doubt that he doesn’t know (about his dismissal) because he has already appealed.)

“So, kapag nag-appeal ka, it came from you, 'di ba? You will properly serve the dismissal order for you to be able to appeal. Kung hindi niya alam ay hindi po siya makakag-appeal,” he added.

(So, when you appeal, it came from you, right? You will properly serve the dismissal order for you to be able to appeal. If he doesn’t know, he won’t be able to appeal.)

Co said the PNP will check how the dismissal order was served to Gracioso.

Gracioso surfaced last week and claimed that he delivered suitcases containing over P2 billion in cash to Vice President Sara Duterte, her father former President Rodrigo Duterte, and her brother Rep. Paolo Duterte.

The ex-cop said he was ordered by former House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco as he served as the lawmaker’s former security aide.

According to Co, Gracioso was dismissed effective September 11, 2026. He has since filed an appeal, although the decision on the appeal has yet to be released.

Gracioso earlier said he was surprised when he learned about his dismissal while he was cooperating with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) over his allegations against the Dutertes.

Co Gracioso had five administrative cases based on its latest records, involving conduct unbecoming, misconduct and other offenses. He was also serving a suspension when he was dismissed.

The PNP confirmed that Gracioso had served as part of Velasco’s security detail from November 2020 to March 2022. — BAP, GMA News