SP 'Berdugo' probe continues today
The Committee on Public Order and Safety resumes today the second set of legislative investigation in aid of legislation at the Iloilo Sanggunian Panlalawigan (SP).
With the SP session hall as venue, expected in today's probe is Chief Inspector Leroy Rapiz of the 608th Iloilo Provincial Mobile Group (IPMG).
Rapiz is to be the main character of the committee's investigation following last month's privilege speech of ex-officio Board Member Jeneda Salcedo. A call for his dismissal from service was then made, an offshoot of what was then decried as purported "Nazi rule" in Northern Iloilo.
Last week saw the start of the committee's public hearing with Sara Vice Mayor Neptali Salcedo Jr. and the town police chief present. Board Member Salcedo was also heard by the committee as she vowed to pursue the matter despite earlier "peace talks" with Rapiz.
First District Board Member Richard Garin heads the investigation as committee chair.
To recall, no less than the region's top cop, Police Chief Superintendent. Isagani Cuevas welcomed the SP investigation.
Calling it "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 he then revealed that the in-house investigation continues on the complaints lodged against Chief Inspector Rapiz. And correspondingly, yet another administrative proceeding on a top cop in Sara, a scion of the Salcedo clan. Initial findings are already out on both cases, Cuevas then confirmed, though no disclosure was made on the details involved.
Today's SP probe if graced by Rapiz will be his first official public appearance since the Salcedo row erupted. Chief Inspector Rapiz was then in some kind of acknowledged "gag order" at the height of the controversy.
The News Today (TNT) managed then to reach Rapiz by phone yet was told to channel the call to Senior Superintendent 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."
The Salcedos maintained that Rapiz is the source of purported "Nazi rule" in Iloilo Fifth District. Chief Superintendent Cuevas though allayed public's fears.
"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 then told TNT.