Sara execs issue plea to PRO 6 director: 'Restrain 'amok' cop'
Peace and order situation in northern Iloilo is feared to have been jeopardized with one town here virtually turned into a "police state."
This, following months of disturbing incidents and of late, a reported tense confrontation involving a top cop here and one of the district's popular political clan.
Board Member Jeneda Salcedo, Liga ng mga Barangay president and ex-officio member of the Iloilo Provincial Board publicly came out with a statement condemning the matter.
She was later to be joined by her brother, Fifth District Board Member Jesus "J.R." Salcedo with both pointing to Police Chief Inspector Leroy Rapiz as the supposed culprit.
"Board Member Jeneda and JR Salcedo condemn in the strongest possible term the terrorist acts inflicted by Rapiz, commander of the Iloilo Provincial Mobile Group (IPMG) based in Sara, Iloilo. Rapiz is illegally putting up selective checkpoints only for the Salcedo Family and their supporters all over the 5th District. Rapiz and his men are frisking pedestrians, unreasonably stopping motorcycles, vehicles, searching houses without search warrants in Sara. This has been ongoing for several months already," the report as sent to The News Today (TNT) stated.
Latest checkpoint as allegedly conducted by Rapiz was in Ajuy, Iloilo Monday, purportedly for the vehicles used by former Sara Mayor Neptali Salcedo.
"Rapiz' actions were clear indications that he is provoking a confrontation," Board Member Jeneda Salcedo decried. "This morning, (Tuesday) Rapiz backed up by heavily armed policemen in 3 mobile group patrol had a confrontation with Sara Vice Mayor Jesus Salcedo at the Sara PNP station and declared that he is King of Sara."
"We are asking Police Regional Office 6 Director, Chief Superitendent Isagani Cuevas to restrain Rapiz who is running amok in the 5th district of Iloilo. Daw martial law diri sa Sara. We have asked our lawyers to file charges against him," Board Member Jesus Salcedo added.
Meanwhile, Governor Niel Tupas Sr. said he will look into the allegations of the Salcedos but he said he favors the conduct of checkpoints as it will redound to the benefit of the public.
"If don't hide something I'm sure you will not be afraid to pass by a checkpoint," Tupas said in a radio interview.