MANILA (UPDATE) - The Philippine National Police (PNP) denied on Tuesday allegations linking President Rodrigo Duterte's economic adviser to illegal drugs.

Police General Oscal Albayalde rejected claims made by former Senior Supt. Eduardo Acierto, who once served as the officer-in-charge of the now-defunct PNP Anti-Illegal Drugs Group, that economic adviser Michael Yang and a certain "Allan Lim" have ties to the illegal drug trade.

"Wala naman tayo so far nakikita talaga. As of this time, walang nakikitang involvement ni Michael Yang sa illegal drugs," Albayalde told reporters.

(We don't see anything. As of this time, we don't see any involvement of Michael Yang to illegal drugs.)

He added that the police force has no information on a supposed "Allan Lim."

Yang and Lim's names are also not included in the PNP drug watchlist according to Albayalde.

• Ex-PNP official says Duterte adviser involved in illegal drugs

It can be recalled that in October 2018, the President initially denied that he appointed Chinese businessman Yang as one of his economic advisers.

However, a month later, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo admitted that Yang was indeed one of the President's "economic consultants."

The President has cleared Yang of ties to the illegal drug trade in the past.

• Duterte clears businessman being linked to illegal drugs

Malacañang on Tuesday said Acierto probably just wanted to get back at the government and his accusers after he was implicated in the smuggling of billions worth of shabu found in magnetic lifters in Cavite last year.

“Obviously the motive is, since he has been accused of involvement in drugs, he wants to get back, that’s why he is pointing fingers at whoever,” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a press briefing.

• Palace: Ex-cop who linked Duterte adviser to illegal drugs only seeking revenge

The dismissed police official said he got set up after he sent a report to then-PNP chief Ronald dela Rosa and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) chief Aaron Aquino detailing his knowledge of Yang’s allegedly illicit activities.

Albayalde meanwhile denied receiving any supposed intelligence report from Acierto. His predecessor, Dela Rosa, also did not turn over any documents on the matter.

"I did not have a chance to work with Acierto. Di ko siya nakasama kailanman. All I know is matagal siya sa anti-illegal drugs unit," Albayalde said.

The PNP chief also raised questions on the timing of Acierto's allegations given that Dela Rosa is running for senator in the upcoming May 13 polls.

"I hope hindi ito masamang timing at hindi lamang tine-take advantage ni ex-Col. Acierto," the PNP chief said.

(I hope this is not just bad timing and that former Col. Acierto is not just taking advantage.)

The PNP nonetheless will still validate Acierto's claims, Albayalde said.

"Kung talagang may intelligence reports, SOP (standard operating procedure) natin to validate those information."

(If there are really intelligence reports, it is part of our SOP to validate those information.)

Acierto is under the custody of religious leaders. He did not identify which religious group is helping him but said he sought the group’s assistance after learning that a P15 million bounty has allegedly been raised for his head.

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