Senator Richard J. Gordon on Sunday criticized the Philippine National Police—Internal Affairs Service for its snail-paced investigation on the policemen involved in the November 5 slaying of Albuera Mayor Rolando Espinosa.
“The IAS should act fast. They should not take their sweet time in conducting investigations. Within five days, the investigation should be finished and they should already have their recommendation,” Gordon stressed.
Three officials of the CIDG Region 8, namely Chief Supt. Marvin Marcos, Supt. Santi Noel Matira and Chief Insp. Leo Laraga, presented themselves before the PNP-IAS over Espinosa’s death.
The IAS said it wants to build a strong case and avoid any technicalities.
The three, together with 15 other members of CIDG Region 8 involved in the death of the Albuera mayor, were placed under restrictive custody effective November 24, on order of PNP chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa.
They are held by the Headquarters Support Service until the final resolution of the case filed against them. The HSS head is tasked to monitor their activities and whereabouts and ensure that they are immediately available to face any inquiry
Gordon noted it has been more than 20 days since the mayor was shot dead inside his jail cell in the Baybay City subprovincial jail.
Espinosa was killed along with Raul Yap while being served a search warrant by the members of the CIDG. And yet IAS has not yet finished its investigation and no one has been dismissed.
“In an administrative case, only substantial evidence is needed. The evidence is already there like the firearms, bullets,” said Gordon.
“Summary hearings should be fast, there should be affidavits and counter-affidavits then recommendation can already be submitted so that the PNP chief, who has summary dismissal powers, can order the dismissal—or acquittal—of those who are responsible,” he said.
Gordon said the PNP chief and the regional directors have summary dismissal powers and can order the dismissal of erring policemen after the IAS has conducted summary proceedings.
There is also the People’s Law Enforcement Board or PLEB which has jurisdiction to hear and decide citizen’s complaints or cases filed before it against erring members of the PNP.
