Rapiz snubs SP probe as counsel calls SP body ‘improper, incompetent forum'
Police Chief Inspector Leroy Rapiz, supposed main character of an ongoing investigation in the Iloilo Sanggunian Panlalawigan (SP) was a no-show in yesterday's proceedings.
This, despite the earlier memorandum of his superior, Police Senior Superintendent Ricardo De La Paz to be present in said legislative probe.
Rapiz is subject of a privilege speech cum complaint by Ex-Officio Board Member Jeneda Salcedo in July. The SP body through the Committee on Public Order and Security was tasked to validate Salcedo's concern. Yesterday's committee hearing was to be the second set with the initial hearing graced by Sara Vice Mayor Neptali Salcedo Jr. and Sara police chief.
The lady board member then decried what she said was the occurrence of "Nazi rule" in Northern Iloilo. She also hit Rapiz' actuations in a speech she entitled "Rape of our Rights."
Official invites were sent out to various resource persons including Rapiz if only to shed light on the matter.
Yet for lawyer Tranquilino Gale, counsel of Chief Inspector Rapiz, to give credence to said invite is self-incriminatory.
"As legal counsel for PCI Leroy Y. Rapiz, we have examined your invitation letter and found the same to be highly incriminating and accusatory against our client since you are already mentioning about alleged "atrocities" committed by our client in the performance of his duties and functions," excerpts of Gale's "excuse letter" went. "In view, thereof, much to our regret and with all due respect to you and the venerable members of your committee, we have advised our client not to appear in your investigation in the exercise of his constitutional and legal right against self-incrimination."
And it did not stop there. Gale went ahead to downplay the SP body's legislative probe.
"Besides if your investigation will delve on certain administrative and/or criminal violations or liability, we believe your committee is not the proper and competent forum to tackle and resolve such legal basis. Please be guided accordingly," Gale wrote as directed to committee chair, First District Board Member Richard Garin.
And while copies of the "excuse letter" were furnished to Chief Superintendent Isagani Cuevas and Police Regional Office 6 Director and Senior Superintendent De La Paz, Gale also sent copies to Governor Niel Tupas Sr. and his son, Fifth District Congressman Niel Tupas Jr.
Meantime, two more witnesses submitted signed affidavits to back up complaints against Rapiz.
Garin told The News Today (TNT) that yet another effort will be made by the committee to invite anew Chief Inspector Rapiz.
"Ours is in aid of legislation and corresponding recommendations that the committee will ultimately agree on, all for public order and security of the province. I hope Chief Inspector Rapiz will heed the orders of his superiors and give this investigation a chance to hear his side," Garin ended.