RIAS chief assures ‘thorough’ investigation on latest Rapiz case
Thorough and independent. While at it, no pressure nor deadline.
Such summed up the latest move on the in-house probe ordered on Iloilo’s controversial top cop, Police Chief Inspector Leroy Rapiz.
Currently the subject of Pre-Charge Evaluation by the Regional Internal Affairs Service (RIAS), Rapiz is back anew to RIAS scrutiny. This, following the order of Chief Superintendent Isagani Cuevas, Police Regional Office (PRO) 6 Director.
Rapiz who was then serving as personal bodyguard of Fifth District Representative Niel Tupas Jr. figured in an incident with Estancia Mayor Restituto Mosqueda. A “near-shoot-out,” media reports went as local police began to gather statements from witnesses.
That and more will be validated and studied said Police Superintendent Emmanuel Ughoc, acting RIAS Regional Director.
Superintendent Ughoc in an interview yesterday with Defense Reporters said that the “no deadline” policy was necessary in order for probers to work extensively on the case.
Final say though will have to be with Chief Superintendent Cuevas with the RIAS findings “only” recommendatory in nature.
Asked whether previous cases faced by Rapiz will have any bearing on the current case, Superintendent Ughoc said “no but may be considered if ever as aggravating circumstance on the imposition of penalty.”
Similar stance from RIAS Legal Office chief, noted Ilonggo lawyer Samson Go.
Incidentally, Go was the one then tasked on another case involving Rapiz that meted a demotion for the controversial cop. Asked for clarification on the “non-implementation” of the demotion, Go said the RIAS recommendation was apparently disapproved “or reversed.”
“It is not right to say that it was not implemented,” Go stressed.
To recall, Rapiz was also recently meted a 90-day preventive suspension over his conduct of checkpoints and “Stop and Frisk” operations in Northern Iloilo. To date though and until the Estancia “near-shoot-out” occurred, the Rapiz suspension never happened.
The said incident occurred Friday afternoon at the height of Barangay San Roque fiesta celebration in Estancia.
Witness accounts were in the form of sworn statements with Rapiz immediately relieved from his post and now ordered ‘back to barracks’ inside PRO 6 headquarters.
It was not immediately clear if the sworn statements formed part of the case folder in possession of the RIAS and Regional Investigation and Detective Management Division (RIDMD).
To note, Police Inspector Dwight Fonte Jr., Estancia Police Chief led the first round of investigation.
The News Today (TNT) gathered that Rapiz went on offensive when in public view and asked by Tupas Jr. to leave the barangay hall.
Rapiz, witnesses told police probers, yelled a challenge to Mayor Mosqueda.
Alongside the RIAS, likewise tasked was the RIDMD to work on the Rapiz case.