Statement of Undersecretary Rico E. Puno

As undersecretary for peace and order in the DILG, I am entrusted with duties and responsibilities that involve strict confidence, security and protocol. Violating the confidential nature of my duties may expose people to danger or jeopardize critical operations.  Hence, I am duty-bound to act with restraint and circumspection, even when subjected to personal attacks in the mass media.  This is why I have opted not to react to the speculative accusations that have been hurled against me by some media organizations.

This is the chronology of events that transpired on Aug. 18 and 19, 2012, as I followed the orders of the President:

Saturday, August 18

2045 H  (8:45 p.m.) (Mactan Cebu International  Airport)

Boarded the Cebu Pacific flight to Manila. When I was about to board, the President called and  instructed me to secure the offices of Secretary Robredo.  I relayed the instructions to Supt. Oliver Tanseco, deputy chief of the Office of Internal Security in Secretary Robredo’s office.

2230 H (10:30 p.m.) (Naia  Terminal 3)

Arrived in Manila

2330 H (11:30 pm) PNP Director-General’s Quarters, Camp Crame “White House”

Proceeded to the PNP Director General’s Quarters. Among those present there were Usec. Austere Panadero, PNP Director General Nicanor Bartolome, Ms Joan de la Cruz, a member of Secretary Robredo’s staff and S/Supt. Tanseco.

The President called again and I reported the offices have been secured.

Sunday, August 19

0900 H (9:00 a.m.)

Supervised sealing of  Secretary Robredo’s Office at DILG Quezon City accompanied by the following: S/Supt. Joel Pagdilao, Supt. Oliver Tanseco, Chief Insp. Apollo Togonon and other security officers of Secretary  Robredo.

0930 H (9:30 a.m.)

Informed by Superintendent Tanseco that there were documents inside the residence/condominium of the Secretary.

1000 H (10:00 a.m.)

Led team to secure Secretary Robredo’s condominium unit; stayed in condominium lobby; instructed team to sign condominium log book to document our presence; left condominium after about 20 minutes.

1030 H (10:30 a.m.)

Arrived at Camp Crame and supervised sealing of Secretary Robredo’s office; left Camp Crame after about 15 minutes.

1130 H (11:30 a.m.)

Arrived at National Police Commission (Napolcom) building in Makati City; supervised sealing of Secretary Robredo’s office; left after about 20 minutes.

1500 H (3:30 p.m.)

Accompanied secretary of justice and Presidential Security Group team that performed inspection, sealing  and securing of Secretary Robredo’s: a) DILG office; b) condominium unit; c) Camp Crame office; and d) Napolcom office.  Entire operations were completed at around 7 p.m.

When the President asked me to serve in the DILG, he emphasized that we needed to strengthen the institution so that our uniformed personnel will become truly servants and protectors of our people.  For the past two years, I have carried out specific assignments in accordance with the President’s mandate.

We have introduced reforms to ensure full transparency of procurement and bidding processes.  We have streamlined these processes to achieve the President’s objective of getting “the biggest bang for the buck” in providing basic equipment to enable our uniformed personnel to perform their tasks effectively.

I believe that I have carried out my assigned duties to the best of my ability.

Moving forward, I have resigned as DILG Undersecretary to support the President’s decision to give a free hand to the incoming Secretary in forming a new team.

I wish to thank President Aquino for his trust and confidence in giving me the opportunity to serve our country and people.

September 11, 2012