MANILA, Philippines – Citing the “alarming irregularity” of the Philippine National Police’s actions, Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa called for a review of the “current operating guidelines and protocols” in the performance of the force’s mandated duties.
Dela Rosa’s statement is in his Senate Resolution (SR) No. 698.
The measure directs the committee on public order and dangerous drugs to investigate the alleged inhumane and violent acts perpetrated by PNP against Bonifacio, Occidental Mayor Samson Dumanjug.
The panel, presided by Dela Rosa, on Tuesday began its probe.
Present during the hearing were officials from the Department of the Interior and Local Government, National Police Commission, Armed Forces of the Philippines, and local government units of Misamis Occidental, among others.
Meanwhile, SR 698 states that Dumanjug sought Dela Rosa’s help by writing the lawmaker a letter alleging that he was “forcibly ejected” from the Mayor’s Office of Bonifacio, Misamis Occidental by the PNP and unknown persons on June 16, 2023.
Dumanjug wrote that the PNP personnel were wearing “full battle gear” and were “equipped with high-powered rifles.”
“[Dumanjug] attested that the PNP personnel physically broke the windows of his office, disarmed and ordered his police escort to lie face-down on the floor, then aimed high-powered firearms at him; forced him to a wheelchair; bound his hands and feet to the said wheelchair; wrapped his head with a malong, and boarded him to an ambulance,” Dela Rosa’s resolution reads.
According to Dumanjug, he does not know why he was attacked.