Police Director Joel Pagdilao and Chief Superintendent Edgardo Tinio. File/Composite

The National Police Commission (Napolcom) has claimed Monday it found pieces of evidence to pin two police officials in the drug trade.

Napolcom Vice Chair Rogelio Casurao has identified Police Director Joel Pagdilao and Chief Superintendent Edgardo Tinio as those with "probable cause," or with pieces of evidence that appeared to support accusations that they were protectors of drug syndicates in the country.

Casurao said the investigating team found documentary evidence that may prove President Rodrigo Duterte's publicly-made accusations against the police officials.

"There will be basis already to come up with probable cause, a lot of standard operating procedures and police operating procedures have not been observed," he said.

"Under our present rules it can warrant an administrative investigation that can lead to a verdict that will involve separation from service," said Casurao.

Casurao said Pagdilao and Tinio have until Tuesday to file their replies after receiving the requests from Napolcom last Friday.

"The investigating team sent request to Director Pagdilao and Dir Tinio because they have to be given the chance to file their comment, these are not formal charges yet, only findings arrived by team" he added.

Casurao said while they have not found any direct link yet to Pagdilao and Tinio's alleged participation in the drug trade, being a "protector" under their rules includes non performance of duties that should have stopped the drug trade.

"When you protect is when you turn a blind eye on the misbehaviors. If you don't do anything to put a stop to the (drug) incidence, that could be interpreted as a form of protection and coddling," he said.

Casurao explained that they have examined a lot of personalities who were assigned in illegal drugs units under the PNP and found out something about Pagdilao and Tinio that could fall under their definition.

"Karamihan nakita namin mga tao manning all these units did not have the proper training, tapos sila sila rin andyan, umikot ikot lang, there is a pattern of incompetence, they are just talking among themselves on the drug operations," Casurao said.

Casurao added that while there have been reshuffles in certain units, same people operate within the units.

"Itong mga taong ito sila sila rin yung lumilitaw na personality, that gives us a strong belief somehow that these people are involved in drug business," he said.

"If these findings remain undisturbed, to me it is enough basis to come up with a probable cause," he added.

Casurao has also advised his embattled colleagues on how to address the accusations.

"Depending on your explanation we will find whether we have reason to hold out further investigation, go specific on your defense," Casurao said.

Another accused, Chief Superintendent Bernardo Diaz, is not yet off the hook. Casurao said they have yet to establish probable cause since more evidence about Diaz are coming in and it has to be thoroughly confirmed and verified.

"On the third respondents (Diaz) we're still trying to evaluate, we have identified certain individuals who could shed light," he said.

"More evidence are coming, may hinihintay pa kami, but itong sa dalawa (Pagdilao and Tinio) can already stand," Casurao said.

He explained that based on their timetable, Napolcom would be able to submit their report to Duterte before the end of August.