Manila: The Sandiganbayan has turned down former police officer Eduardo P. Acierto's appeal in connection with his conviction as a co-accused in multiple graft cases arising from the illegal release and sale of AK-47 assault rifles in 2012.

According to Philippines News Agency, in a resolution dated February 18, the Sandiganbayan Sixth Division denied Acierto's motion for reconsideration on the graft court's December 2025 ruling convicting him and others, including former PNP Firearms and Explosives chief Senior Supt. Raul Petrasanta. The resolution emphasized that Acierto has not surrendered to the Court, which affected his legal standing when filing motions for reconsideration.

The graft court further stated that Acierto's absence during the promulgation of the decision on December 5, 2025, was unjustified. It was noted that Acierto did not request to participate in the hearing via videoconference, which undermined his position.

Before facing graft charges, Acierto was involved in a 2018 incident concerning the smuggling of PHP11-billion worth of methamphetamine concealed in magnetic lifters. In his second motion for reconsideration, Acierto contended that he had been in hiding since 2018 not to evade prosecution, but due to threats following an intelligence report he submitted, which implicated close associates of former President Rodrigo Duterte in the drug trade.