Army Colonel Lachica Denies Links to POGO and Drug Money Allegations
Army Colonel Raymund Dante Lachica has issued a statement to address circulating accusations regarding his alleged involvement with large sums of illegal money. He has strongly denied any connection to purported "POGO money" and "drug money," asserting that the claims lack foundation and credible evidence.
Criticism of Publicity Trial
Colonel Lachica criticized what he described as a "trial by publicity," which he argues damages reputations without due process. He emphasized that the truth must be determined through proper legal channels, not through public speculation or media trials.
Lachica stated: "I remain confident that the legal process will ultimately reveal the truth and expose the baseless nature of these accusations. I also urge all parties to respect the ongoing legal proceedings and refrain from further attempts to litigate this issue in the court of public opinion."
Background and Previous Allegations
Colonel Lachica previously served as the head of the Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group (VPSPG), responsible for the security of Vice President Sara Duterte. He was removed from this position in October 2025 and reassigned to the Philippine Army following earlier accusations related to the misuse of confidential funds from the Office of the Vice President (OVP).
The OVP has also denied these previous allegations, maintaining that there was no wrongdoing. Lachica's current denial comes amid renewed scrutiny, highlighting ongoing tensions between public perception and legal accountability in high-profile cases.
Call for Integrity in Legal Processes
In his statement, Lachica stressed the duty of legal professionals to uphold integrity and allow the judicial system to function without interference. He believes that the law will ultimately vindicate him by showing the accusations to be unfounded.
This case underscores broader issues in how allegations are handled in the public sphere, with Lachica advocating for a focus on factual evidence and procedural fairness over sensationalism.
