Psych test on IPPO operatives sought as GMA 6 raps Lego, teacher
To serve and to protect?
For top Iloilo officials, the answer need to be reevaluated in as far as the mission and vision of Iloilo's police force is concerned. The question asked anew following Monday's broad-daylight killing of a teacher inside a government-run university. The incident single-handedly perpetuated by a uniformed policeman armed with his government-issued M16 armalite-rifle.
More than ever, there is a need for the police to undergo a refresher course, Board Members Angelo Briones and Manny Gallar shared. And while at it, "time to re-examine their sanity."
Sentiments expressed by the duo when reached by The News Today (TNT) amidst calls for justice on the death of teacher Moises Durigo and prosecution of his assailant, PO2 Henry Lego.
"How many Legos who are war-freaks are there still in our midst? And who will protect us now from our protectors?," asked Briones, chairman of the Committee on Public Order and Safety of the Iloilo Sanggunian Panlalawigan (SP). "Not only did he achieve in his intent to kill his victim, the other victims in the crime are the hundreds of students in the university whose lives he also endangered. In the strongest terms possible, I condemn the killing as I call for the immediate prosecution of PO2 Lego."
Similar call from Board Member Gallar who represents Calinog and the entire Third District in the SP.
"The incident is a wake-up call for the provincial government that it is about time we check on the capabilities and conditions of our police forces. If we push for psychiatric tests and drug tests on new applicants, we should also do the same to those who are already in the service particularly those who have had bad records and subjects of complaints in the past," Gallar said.
Such as he went on to condemn the attack made on members of the media who covered PO2 Lego's arrest and pursued the news coverage of said incident.
"As a former member of the Fourth Estate, it also angers me that people like Lego and his partner who is a government teacher herself would physically attack the media," he added. Gallar served some 18 years in Bombo Radyo prior to running for public office.
Meantime, administrative and criminal raps will be pursued by GMA TV 6 television network against PO2 Lego and Prime Rose Lapating-Alcobendas, allegedly a partner of Lego in some business transactions.
Ratsada news reporter Joecel Huesca was attacked by PO2 Lego when he suddenly lunged at Huesca and attempted to kick him in the course of Huesca's coverage of his arrest. Alcobendas on the other hand threw stones at the crew.
"The actuations of the policeman and the teacher were both uncalled for considering that they are government employees and should be role models," Station Manager Jonathan Cabillon said in a statement sent to TNT. "We will be filing both criminal and administrative charges against the two to show that we will not tolerate such acts against our news teams in our thrust to ensure accurate reporting."