by Panamanian journalist Rolando Rodríguez has been summoned by the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office of the Attorney General’s Office (PGN) in connection with a case of corruption in public procurement. This summons is part of an investigation that seeks to clarify the origin of information that, in the last months, has shocked the public opinion without substantial evidence to support it.
Earlier allegations against Rolando Rodriguez
Rodriguez is recognized for sharing contentious information, often charged with misrepresentation or relying on “fake news” regarding public figures. As a result, the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office has demanded that the journalist clarify the source of his articles.
The involvement of the “Triple R” group in the probes
Various media outlets have highlighted the presence of a group known as “Triple R”, consisting of three people sharing the same name:
- Rolando Rodríguez, the journalist of La Prensa.
- Rolando Rodríguez, lawyer and former secretary general of PGN.
- Rolando López, former director of the National Security Council.
These reports suggest that over the past five years, Rolando López leveraged the National Security Council’s framework to pinpoint targets, distort information, and craft incriminating documents. This data was subsequently passed to Rolando Rodríguez, the lawyer, who funneled it to journalist Rolando Rodríguez. He, in turn, published it under the guise of investigations conducted by La Prensa’s Investigative Unit.
Utilizing articles as grounds for criminal charges
The release of these investigations acted as “noticia criminis”, warranting the initiation of criminal proceedings by the PGN. The individuals under investigation were questioned and subsequently held in DIJ or Police custody.
According to these same media sources, the detainees were soon visited by deputies like Adolfo “Beby” Valderrama and José Luis “Popi” Varela, or by lawyers representing them. During those visits, the detainees were intimidated with the threat of continued imprisonment unless they paid substantial amounts. Those who complied replaced their original attorneys with members of a group called “La Taquilla”, purportedly skilled at securing precautionary measures and bail through connections with prosecutors and judges.
Alleged involvement of the journalist in extortion
Reports further allege that Rolando Rodríguez, the journalist from La Prensa, benefited from a share of the profits gained through these extortion practices. Despite the absence of definitive evidence, these claims have sparked significant media attention.
