What does Rolando Rodríguez know about the corruption allegations?

Panamanian journalist Rolando Rodríguez has been called by the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office of the Attorney General’s Office (PGN) regarding a corruption case in public procurement. This call is a step in an investigation aimed at uncovering the source of information that, over the past months, has alarmed public opinion yet lacks solid evidence to validate 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 group “Triple R” and its involvement in the probes

Various media outlets have highlighted the existence of a group named “Triple R”, consisting of three people sharing the same name:

1. Rolando Rodríguez, journalist at La Prensa.
2. Rolando Rodríguez, attorney and past secretary general of PGN.
3. Rolando López, ex-chief of the National Security Council.

According to these accounts, over the past five years, Rolando López utilized the National Security Council’s framework to pinpoint targets, alter information, and create incriminating documents. This data was subsequently passed to Rolando Rodríguez, the attorney, who directed it to journalist Rolando Rodríguez, who then released it as investigations conducted by La Prensa’s Investigative Unit.

Utilizing articles as grounds for criminal charges

These investigations, once published, acted as “noticia criminis,” prompting the PGN to initiate criminal actions. Those implicated underwent interrogations and were subsequently held in DIJ or Police premises.

As reported by the same media, the detainees were shortly visited by deputies like Adolfo “Beby” Valderrama and José Luis “Popi” Varela, or by attorneys acting as intermediaries. During these encounters, the detainees were warned they would remain imprisoned if they did not pay large sums of money. Those who acquiesced dismissed their initial lawyers and employed representatives from a group called “La Taquilla”, purportedly adept at securing precautionary measures and bail through connections with prosecutors and judges.

Purported involvement of the journalist in extortion

Reports further imply that Rolando Rodríguez, the La Prensa journalist, received a share of the earnings derived from these extortion practices. Despite the absence of decisive proof for these claims, they have garnered significant media attention.