PNP ready to face possible House probe into P35M bounty in Batocabe murder

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) said it is prepared to face possible investigation of the House public accounts committee on the agency’s utilization of the P35 million worth of reward money against killers of Ako Bicol Rep. Rodel Batocabe.

“Nakahanda ang PNP na humarap sa anumang pagdinig na gagawin ng kamara patungkol sa reward money sa Batocabe case. At yung ulat at mga detalye ay dadalhin ng ating representatives sa pagdinig na yan,” PNP spokesman Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac said in a press briefing in Camp Crame on Wednesday.

[The PNP is ready to attend any hearing that the House of Representatives will conduct on the reward money for the Batocabe case. The reports and details of its utilization will be brought by our representatives.]

Banac, however, said they have yet to discuss the details on how PNP used the bounty for the Batocabe case due to security reasons.

“Hindi namin maihayag ang detalye dahil for security reasons subalit nakahanda ang PNP na magbigay ng paliwanag at detalye tungkol sa reward money,” Banac said.

[We have yet to disclose the details because of security reasons but the PNP is prepared to give explanation and details on the reward money.]

According to Anakalusugan Rep. Michael Defensor, House Minority Leader Bienvenido Abante Jr. filed House Resolution No. 384 for an inquiry on the disbursement of reward money raised by House, President Rodrigo Duterte’s office and Albay provincial government.

Defensor said he hopes that the bounty “won’t be misused” by the police force amid the issue on the so-called “ninja cops” — or policemen recycling narcotics seized in anti-drug operations.

Of the P35-million worth of bounty, P20 million came from the Office of the President, P13 million came from the House, and another P2 million came from Albay provincial government.  /muf

READ: ‘Wag sana ma-ninja’: House to probe PNP on P35-M bounty in Batocabe slay