Rapiz faces criminal raps over fray with Estancia mayor
Suspended top cop, Police Chief Inspector Leroy Rapiz faces yet more legal woes as criminal raps were pursued over the February incident in Estancia, Iloilo.
With the summary hearing on the administrative aspect held in abeyance before the Regional Internal Affairs Office (RIAS) 6, at least four witnesses came out against Rapiz in the criminal complaints.
The incident involved Rapiz and Estancia Mayor Restituto Mosqueda in what was reported as a near-shoot-out. Rapiz for his part hurled Mosqueda before the Office of the Ombudsman in the Visayas with his complaints docketed as OMB-V-C-09-0073-C and OMB-V-A-09-0067-C.
Mosqueda on the other hand submitted a complaint-incident report to Chief Superintendent Isagani Cuevas, Police Regional Office (PRO6) Director. Cuevas then had the matter investigated and tasked the RIAS to do the job.
In the course of the RIAS summary hearing though, a 90-day preventive suspension was ordered on Rapiz for yet another RIAS complaint on Rapiz' illegal checkpoints in Northern Iloilo.
The News Today (TNT) learned that as per Friday's RIAS in-house Rapiz-Mosqueda administrative probe, an agreement was apparently reached to have the proceedings held in abeyance pending the Ombudsman action.
Incidentally, security measures were heightened during Friday's RIAS hearing. Reporters present were barred entry into RIAS office as uniformed police personnel stood guard on the main entrance. A group of fully-armed elements of the Regional Mobile Group were also positioned by the RIAS building premises. No weapons, service firearms included, of non-RIAS security were also allowed as all service vehicles then entering PRO 6 headquarters were thoroughly checked.
TNT gathered that extra security precautions were made following the tensed meeting of Rapiz and Mosqueda in the first RIAS hearing.
To note, Rapiz was then ordered dis-armed for bringing inside the hearing room his service firearm. He was also reprimanded by summary hearing officer Samson Go for the icy stares made at Mosqueda.
Rapiz was aided by cousel, lawyer Tranquilino Gale.
Gale in an interview with reporters present jokingly said all went smoothly, no tension felt, thanks to the absence of his client.
“Masabad man lang kung ara siya ah, (It is just difficult when he's present),” he said in jest while adding that they submit to the “due process” of RIAS.
Asked how his client is doing, Gale replied, “he's ok... my client is always performing and doing his job but the only thing is, he does it with zealousness that he does not care who gets affected along the way.”
Mosqueda with counsel, lawyer Salvador Panelo pursued the criminal aspect before the Office of the Provincial Prosecutors.
Panelo in an interview said Rapiz was being charged for grave threats and coercion of Estancia locals and municipal government employees and officials identified with the mayor.
No further details were disclosed.
Meantime, with the preventive suspension order in full effect, status of Rapiz is that of a “pure civilian.”
An Internal Affairs source said Rapiz is temporarily stripped of his “Police Chief Inspector” rank and any use of such in the duration of the suspension order is tantamount to usurpation of authority.