Escudero going after generals at LP meeting

Sen. Francis Escudero. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

CALACA, Batangas — Vice Presidential bet Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero said he would file a case against active police officials who had reportedly met with campaign officials of administration standard-bearer Mar Roxas at a hotel in Araneta Center, Quezon City.

Escudero said his lawyers are already preparing the case of electioneering against the concerned officials.

“Matagal na naming naririnig ‘yan na may papel na ginagampanan ang ilang mga active and retired general ng PNP (Philippine National Police). Ngayon lamang sila nahuli ng may litrato at camera sa isang hotel,” he said in an interview here with Manila-based reporters.

READ: AFP, PNP senior officials spotted at LP meeting venue

“Ayon kay PNP Chief (Director General Ricardo) Marquez, kapag may mag reklamo raw ay agad nyang ire-relieve tulad ng ginawa n’ya sa chief of police ng isang bayan sa Abra. Puwes, plano naming maghain ng reklamo laban sa mga pulis na nabanggit na nakipagpulong sa staff ni Secretary Roxas.”

(PNP Chief Marquez had said that he would relieve officials facing complaints like the Abra police chief he sacked. We are planning to file a complaint against the police who were reported to have met with the staff of Secretary Roxas.)

“Dapat matigil na ito. Masyado na akala nila kaya nilang gawin ang kahit na anong bagay porket administrasyon sila. May tungkulin na dapat gampanan ang PNP. Inaasahan ko si PNP Chief Marquez magiging totoo sa salita n’ya at ire-relieve ang mga general na ito basta may magreklamo lang,” Escudero added.

(This must stop. They think that they can get away with everything just because they’re part of the administration. The PNP has obligations to fulfill. I expect PNP Chief Marquez to fulfill his promise of relieving generals facing complaints.)

READ: Explain presence at LP meeting, top cops told

He said it was very obvious that the meeting had something to do with the upcoming elections.

“Sino ba naman ang makikipagpulong sa staff ng isang kumakandidato, dating under pa n’ya? Sa katunayan, sa mga lugar pinupuntahn namin, panay ang tawag n’ya sa mga regional director, provincial director, akala n’yo sya parin ang DILG secretary,” he further said.

(Just who would meet with the staff of a candidate, especially when he used to be under this candidate? In fact, in the places we would go, he would incessantly call regional directors and provincial directors as if he is still the DILG secretary.)

Roxas used to head the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) before he stepped down to run for president in May.

Asked what would be the nature of the case that would be filed against the police officials, Escudeo said “Electioneering and partisan political activity being conducted by active members of the PNP.”

Presidential aspirant Senator Grace Poe welcomed her running mate’s action.

“Bagamat hindi ako kasama doon, nagpapasalamat na rin ako na magsampa ng reklamo ukol doon kasi ang ating pulis ay hindi ginagamit para sa isang particular na grupo lamang,” Poe said in a separate interview.

(While I am not a part of it, I am grateful that they are filing a complaint because our police do not serve to the caprices of just one particular group.)

“Sila ay dapat nakatalaga para proteksyunan ang taumbayan sa araw ng halalan at sa araw ng kampanya, hindi para magkabit ng posters, hindi para magkampanya para kanino man,” she added.

(They should be tasked to protect the people on Election Day and the campaign period, not to plaster posters, and not to campaign for anyone.) IDL