'Stay put,' Dela Paz orders amidst SP discord on Rapiz
Dela Paz.
No marching orders will be issued on one of Iloilo's top cop declared "Persona non Grata" by the 9thIloilo Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP).
As such, Chief Inspector Leroy Rapiz, Group Director of the 608thIloilo Provincial Mobile Group (IPMG) will remain in his post. In fact, superiors in the Philippine National Police (PNP) provincial and regional hierarchy continue to trust Rapiz's judgment when it comes to police matters and operations within his turf.
The 608thIPMG is based in Sara, Iloilo and primarily augments local police forces throughout Northern Iloilo.
"Stay put. That is my order for Chief Inspector Rapiz," said Senior Superintendent Ricardo Dela Paz, Provincial Director of the Iloilo Provincial Police Office (IPPO) while clarifying, "The SP recommendations are not binding to us."
And all is regular, just and legal, Senior Superintendent Dela Paz said, in as far as functions of the 608thIPMG is concerned.
Similar sentiments from the region's top cop, Chief Superintendent Isagani Cuevas, Police Regional Office 6 Regional Director.
Chief Superintendent Cuevas in earlier media interviews said corresponding investigation was made on complaints lodged against Rapiz. The results, he told Defense reporters, exonerates Rapiz as it showed nothing was amiss nor abusive on the conduct of police operations he led with 608thIPMG operatives.
Sunday's arrival in Estancia, Iloilo of First Son, Pampanga Second District Representative Mikey Arroyo saw the presence of Chief Superintendent Cuevas and Senior Superintendent Dela Paz with Chief Inspector Rapiz.
To note, Chief Inspector Rapiz was subject of a legislative inquiry conducted by the Committee on Public Order and Security. With SP invites declined though, the committee based its findings and recommendations on evidences, testimonies and affidavits from 'anti-Rapiz' resource persons.
The SP probe revolved around purported "Nazi rule" in Northern Iloilo also debunked by Chief Superintendent Cuevas.
"No Nazi rule... mere police operations," he then said in a The News Today (TNT) interview.