TWO RETIRED military generals, all with connections to the Presidential Security Group (PSG), and a former vice presidential security chief have denied knowing Ramil Madriaga, whose recent allegations linking Vice President Sara Duterte to drug lords and Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) caused a stir online.
Denials from former PSG commanders
Retired Brigadier General Randolph Cabangbang, former commander of the PSG, speculated that Madriaga may have befriended a PSG member and used that connection to “pretend to be a member of the PSG.” He told TIMES on Thursday afternoon, “There are many people like that.”
Another former PSG chief, Retired Major General Jose Eriel Niembra, sent a message to TIMES, saying:
“I don’t know Ramil Madriaga… and as far as my memory serves me right, there was no such name in the PSG roster during my time,” Niembra stated.
Army officer rejects association
Colonel Raymund Dante P. Lachica also issued a formal statement denying any association with Madriaga.
“I categorically state that I do not know Mr. Madriaga and have no personal or professional dealings with him at any time. Any assertion suggesting that I was associated with, recommended by, or worked with him is false and devoid of factual basis,” Lachica said.
He further stressed that assignments to security units like the PSG are strictly governed by formal vetting, established procedures, and command authority, processes that “cannot be influenced by private individuals.”
Lachica concluded by asking the public and media to rely solely on verified information and official AFP sources.
In his affidavit, Madriaga claimed that he was a close-in security of the vice president, but police records show he remains detained at Camp Bagong Diwa on a separate kidnapping charge.
