NAPOLCOM chief resigns over murder probes

National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) Commissioner Edilberto Leonardo has resigned from his post, with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. accepting the resignation on Monday.

Leonardo was appointed by former President Rodrigo Duterte in February 2022 and previously served as chief of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Davao until his retirement in September 2020.

The quad committee probe has thrust Leonardo into national spotlight due to allegations linking him to the killing of three Chinese drug convicts inside a Davao prison facility in 2016, and the assassination of former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) board secretary Wesley Barayuga in 2020.

Leonardo denied involvement in these killings but remains under scrutiny amid ongoing investigations.

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin confirmed that Leonardo's resignation was accepted effective immediately on October 8.