Face-off Part 2 at RIAS on Rapiz probe
Security is expected to be tightened anew today at the Regional Internal Affairs Office (RIAS) 6 in Camp Delgado, Police Regional Office (PRO) 6 headquarters.
This, as suspended top cop, Police Chief Inspector Leroy Rapiz will face off again with RIAS probers and retired Police General, Estancia Mayor Restituto Mosqueda.
Today’s proceeding is a continuance of previous weeks’ administrative hearing on yet another set of complaints faced by Rapiz.
To recall, the first time the two met here extra security was requested from the men of the Regional Mobile Group (RMG). This, as Rapiz figured in what Mosqueda’s counsel dubbed as the “stare of war.”
RIAS personnel deemed it best then to have extra set of armed men present following the suddenly-tensed situation. A repeat of that precautionary measure is expected anew.
The Estancia Mayor who stands as complainant in the latest round of administrative charges against Rapiz is aided by counsel, noted lawyer Salvador Panelo.
Panelo described to reporters present what he then called was the “vicious” stare of Rapiz to his client. He was “aghast,” he said over the incident.
Rapiz in that summary hearing came in uniform and had with him his service firearm. He was immediately dis-armed though by RIAS personnel upon entry into the hearing room.
The News Today (TNT) learned that the order reportedly came from Go who reprimanded Rapiz for bringing the firearm inside the RIAS hearing room.
Incidentally, posted clearly by the door was the prohibition on bringing any and all firearms unless otherwise authorized by RIAS. Rapiz came to the hearing assisted by counsel, lawyer Tranquilino Gale.
Gale when interviewed by TNT after the first summary hearing raised questions on the jurisdiction of RIAS. Gale maintained that with the Ombudsman complaint filed by his client, RIAS has no business hearing the same case.
Yet he also agreed to comply with the comment sought from Rapiz by the RIAS saying it is through that comment that he will "enlighten" RIAS probers.
Summary Hearing Officer is RIAS lawyer Samson Go.