Palace on controversial appointee: Let’s give her a chance

Former PNP Police Chief Supt Lina Sarmiento. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – A chance –  that’s what both Malacañang and former Philippine National Police (PNP) Director Lina Sarmiento are asking for from critics.

Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda on Monday said that while Sarmiento is a former police official, she is not part of the “dreaded” Philippine Constabulary (PC) during the martial law.

“In fact, wala sa leadership ng present PNP na miyembro po nung dreaded PC noon,” Lacierda said during a Palace press briefing.

(In fact, no one from the present PNP leadership was part of the dreaded PC.)

Sarmiento has recently been appointed as head of the Human Rights Victims’ Claims Board that would oversee the distribution of P10-billion compensation for martial law victims.

Lacierda said Sarmiento is a known “security sector reform advocate,” contrary to what people think.

“Let’s give her a chance,” he said.

Former political detainees and victims of military torture have opposed the appointment of Sarmiento because of her work with the PNP.

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