SP body agree to give Rapiz 'final chance' to give side on 'Berdugo' probe
The invitation was made once, twice and thrice. The 'no-show' happened once, twice and thrice as well.
Yet as a consensus of the Committee on Public Order and Security, one final opportunity should be given to Chief Inspector Leroy Rapiz. The group director of the 608th Police Mobile Group of the Iloilo Provincial Police Office (IPPO), Rapiz is subject of a legislative investigation on alleged atrocities in northern Iloilo.
"For the record, this is already the fourth hearing of this Committee in aid of legislation," First District Board Member Richard Garin, committee chair said in opening yesterday's investigation. "We have already heard statements from various witnesses supporting the allegations of Honorable Jeneda Salcedo in her privilege speech. It was delivered during the 29th SP Regular Session which served as the basis of this committee investigation. It is with more reason that we tried our very best to get the side of Chief Inspector Rapiz, consistent with the principle of due process.
However, despite that we have already extended our letter of invitation not once, not twice but thrice, he still failed to appear before this committee. Please note that we also coursed these invitations to his superiors particularly Senior Superintendent Ricardo Dela Paz and Chief Superintendent Isagani Cuevas. Note further that both police officials acted accordingly on our invitations and ordered Chief Inspector Rapiz to honor such."
Garin then went ahead to inform the probe body of earlier agreement that the third invite was to be the last for Rapiz.
"When tasked to investigate and validate the complaints of Board Member Jeneda Salcedo, this committee is bound by the rules and procedures of the 9th Iloilo Sanggunian Panlalawigan. We do not have the luxury of time and it would not be just and fair to have all these issues unresolved the soonest possible time," he said.
The discussion that followed heard the proposal of Vice Governor Rolex Suplico saying that another invitation should be extended.
"The allegations are very serious… whatever we will recommend here could destroy his career... so let us extend our patience… let us invite him for the last time," Suplico said.
In the end, the body agreed to heed the fourth and final invite for Rapiz slated on September 30th.
"Hopefully that would give him ample time to take care of his affairs," Suplico ended.
The hearing adjourned some 30 minutes after it began with all seats reserved for the resource speakers left vacant.