Police escort dismissed Bamban Mayor Alice Guo as she leaves the Valenzuela Regional Trial Court on September 20, 2024, after her arraignment is postponed and rescheduled for September 30. Guo posted P540 bail. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

MANILA — A group of former Philippine National Police chiefs on Sunday condemned what they said was an "irresponsible statement" made by Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. Security Monitoring Cluster head Raul Villanueva, who had claimed that an ex-national police chief might have been involved in Alice Guo's escape.

Villanueva, during the resumption of the Senate's hearing into illegal offshore gaming hubs last week, claimed that unvetted reports from the intelligence community indicated that a former PNP chief might had a hand in the getaway of the dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor.

READ: Citing 'intel', Pagcor exec says a former PNP chief may have helped Alice Guo escape

He also claimed that the unnamed former PNP chief was on Guo's monthly payroll "ever since."

The group of ex-PNP chiefs, called the Council of Chiefs, in a statement "strongly condemned" Villanueva's statement, stressing that his sweeping accusation "maligns and brings dishonor to all of us, former Chiefs, who have dedicated the best years of our lives in the service of the Filipino nation."

"Although we are now retired, we continuously uphold our integrity to the highest standards and our solemn pledge to serve and protect our country and people," they also said.

'PUBLIC APOLOGY'

They said that Villanueva, a retired brigadier general, should expose the identity of the "rogue former PNP chief to clear the names of those not involved."

"However, if the information turns out false after validating the report, we hereby demand a public apology, no less, from the same officer," they said.

The PNP on Thursday said it was investigating 24 of its former chiefs in light of the allegation, noting that they have to investigate everybody unless Villanueva names the said former official.

READ: PNP investigating 24 ex-police chiefs on info that one could have helped Guo escape

Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission spokesperson Winston Casio previously told ANC that they had not heard about Villanueva's claims.

Casio said they were looking into "private individuals" and Sual Mayor Liseldo "Dong" Calugay's possible involvement in the sneaky departure of Guo and her supposed siblings. 

Guo has told senators that there was no immigration officer or government official who helped them pass through the country's borders in July. 

She said an individual, whose identity was not disclosed, initiated and facilitated their departure.

Guo was eventually captured in Indonesia earlier this month, less than two weeks after Shiela's arrest.

READ: Sual town wharf may have been exit point in Alice Guo's escape: PAOCC