Supt. Marvin Marcos President Rodrigo Duterte. Reuters

MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday said he will shoot any person who offers him drug money amid criticism over his order to reinstate a police official accused of protecting drug lords.

Duterte earlier drew flak for reinstating Supt. Marvin Marcos, chief of the Philippine National Police – Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Region 8, on the same day he was sacked by the Philippine National Police chief over his alleged drug connections.

The President said he ordered Marcos reinstated because he wants to study the case further.

“Inimpose ko ang order ko kay Bato, that’s my discretion. I have control of the police and army. There was nothing wrong with it, but I was just trying to figure out something there,” he said.

“I have to study more. There was nothing to it. Huwag kayong matakot, I don’t receive drug money. Susmaryosep… Bigyan mo ako ng pera babarilin kita dyan sa harap ko.”

Supt. Marvin Marcos

Dela Rosa earlier confirmed he ordered the administrative relief of Marcos last October 15 because he wanted to investigate Marcos amid reports that he was receiving drug payola. Duterte's order, however, allowed Marcos to walk free.

Two weeks later, Marcos led a team in the November 5 predawn raid of Baybay sub-provincial jail in Leyte, which led to the killing of Albuera Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr.

Self-confessed drug lord Kerwin Espinosa, son of the slain mayor, has claimed he gave P3 million to Marcos for the campaign war chest of Marcos's wife who was a vice mayoral bet in Pastrana town.

Members of the police PNP-CIDG in Region 8 earlier told the Senate that there was a shootout between them and the mayor.

The NBI, however, said that based on the evidence and testimonies of witnesses, "it is patently clear that the acts of the CIDG 8 operatives showed a community of purpose or an implied conspiracy."

Despite the NBI’s findings, President Rodrigo Duterte said he still supports the embattled cops and said they will not go to prison.