PANOORIN: Sec. Bong Go, pinangalanan ni Sen. De Lima na tumawag kay PNP Chief Dela Rosa na ibalik si P/Supt. Marcos sa pwesto | @ZandroDZMM pic.twitter.com/GGDNOZxWll

— DZMM TeleRadyo (@DZMMTeleRadyo) December 1, 2016

MANILA- Senator Leila De Lima on Thursday claimed that President Rodrigo Duterte's executive assistant Bong Go, is the "higher official" who ordered the reinstatement of Superintendent Marvin Marcos as head of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in Region 8.

De Lima said she has a police source who tipped her off on who ordered Marcos' reinstatement. She said it is widely known in the Philippine National Police that Go asked for the reinstatement of Marcos.

"Hindi nagustuhan ng ibang officials na biny-pass yung hierarchy ng PNP nung ni-reinstate si Marcos without clearing with them," she said, noting that the incident is an "open secret" among police officials.

Go, however, denied ever meeting Marcos or even ordering his reinstatement.

"The allegations are pure hearsay and unsubstantiated. I cannot recall having met former CIDG Region 8 Head supt Marcos and I dont know him personally. I did not ask General Bato to reinstate him. I also do not interfere with the affairs and functions of the PNP," he said.

PNP Chief Director General Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa earlier revealed he ordered Marcos' relief following the death of Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr. inside the Baybay City Sub Provincial Jail last November 5.

De Lima said Dela Rosa should claim responsibility for the incident. "Dahil diniktahan, hindi na niya (Dela Rosa) pwede tanggihan? Na magkakaroon naman siya ng legitimate at valid reason to decline?" she said.

PANOORIN: PNP Chief Dela Rosa, may pananagutan sa batas matapos ibalik si P/Sup Marcos sa pwesto ayon kay Sen. De Lima pic.twitter.com/4yUTxeWp2H

— Zandro Ochona (@ZandroDZMM) December 1, 2016

Marcos led the CIDG-8 team in serving the search warrant on Espinosa inside the jail. The mayor was killed in an alleged firefight with cops.

Last Tuesday, the PNP chief said a higher-ranking official called him to reinstate Marcos.

• READ: 'Bato' admits 'higher official' sought Marcos' reinstatement

He said he reinstated Marcos because the PNP Regional Internal Affairs Services - 8 (RIAS-8) was conducting investigation on him and he "found it wise" for Marcos to stay in the region to appear before the hearings.

He added he does not believe Marcos would have caused undue influence in the investigation by being there. --with reports from Adrian Ayalin and Zandro Ochona, ABS-CBN News