Cuevas allays fears in Northern Iloilo as 'Rapiz probe' continues
The region's top cop, Police Chief Supt. Isagani Cuevas welcomed Tuesday's call for investigation and even call for transfer of a top police official by a member of the Iloilo Provincial Board.
Saying it is "a good development," Cuevas said the opportunity is now present for the police hierarchy to prove transparency in its conduct and disprove misconception of a cover-up.
This, as Chief Supt. Cuevas revealed that in-house investigation continues on the complaints lodged against Chief Inspector Leroy Rapiz of the 608th Iloilo Provincial Mobile Group (IPMG). Initial findings are already out, Cuevas confirmed though no disclosure was made on the details involved.
The News Today (TNT) also learned that while the investigation was in response to local complaints against Rapiz, a corresponding probe was also made. This, the TNT was told, came after a directive from Camp Crame with PNP higher-ups responding to the complaint this time filed against Rapiz's accusers.
And nothing to fear too, he said, particularly in Northern Iloilo as he dismissed the tag of purported "Nazi rule" here.
"There is no such thing as Nazi rule… just police work in the campaign against criminalities. It was the conduct of checkpoints though that is being investigated and subject of complaints… the Philippine National Police in general is out to implement its mandate to protect the community," Cuevas said yesterday.
Meantime, Cuevas clarified the reported 'gag order' imposed on Rapiz.
TNT managed to reach Rapiz by phone yesterday and was told to channel the call to Senior Supt. Ric Dela Paz, Iloilo Provincial Police Office director.
It is better, Cuevas said, that instead of Rapiz, it would be Rapiz's superior who will speak up.
This, he explained, will avoid further misunderstanding insisting that "Senior Superintendent Dela Paz as his superior is in the better position to talk."