SP probe body invites top cop anew
Members of the Committee on Public Order and Security in the Iloilo Provincial Government are expecting today the presence of top cop, Chief Inspector Leroy Rapiz.
Will Rapiz grace the invite of the committee tasked to validate "Nazi rule" concerns brought to the Iloilo Sanggunian Panlalawigan (SP)? Or just like last week, will Rapiz snub the legislative investigation fearing self-incrimination?
The official invite for today's hearing was re-sent by First District Board Member Richard Garin, committee chairman. Coursed through Rapiz' superiors, Senior Superintendent Ricardo Dela Paz and Chief Superintendent Isagani Cuevas, Garin is optimistic of Rapiz' "change of mind and change of heart."
The News Today (TNT) learned that an assurance was made by the committee to both Senior Superintendent Dela Paz and Chief Superintendent Cuevas that Rapiz' constitutional right will not be violated.
Earlier, Rapiz through counsel sent an excuse letter for not heeding the committee's invite citing self-incrimination concerns. Further still, Rapiz's lawyer questioned the legality of the legislative probe alongside more questions raised on the propriety of the committee's work.
Dela Paz as director of the Iloilo Provincial Police Office (IPPO) issued an office memorandum for Rapiz to grace the SP hearing.
The second invitation coursed through Chief Superintendent Cuevas was deemed necessary by Garin stressing the importance of Rapiz' presence.
To note, the committee's investigation stemmed from the July privilege speech of Board Member Jeneda Salcedo who charged Rapiz of "Nazi rule" in Northern Iloilo.
The SP session hall serves as venue of the hearing.
Rapiz is to be the main character of the committee's investigation with a call made for his dismissal from service.
First hearing heard the testimonies of Sara Vice Mayor Neptali Salcedo Jr. and the town police chief. 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.
"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.