IAS: Dismiss cops in Espinosa, Jee slay

The Philippine National Police-Internal Affairs Service (IAS) has recommended the “dismissal, demotion and suspension” of the policemen accused in the separate killings of Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa and Korean businessman Jee Ick-joo, PNP Director General Ronald dela Rosa said on Monday.

Dela Rosa said President Duterte’s statement that he would pardon and even promote the policemen involved in Espinosa’s killing would have no effect on the IAS recommendations.

“I’ve already signed it but I might err if I mentioned who was dismissed, who was demoted or who was suspended,” Dela Rosa told a press briefing.

Chief Supt. Rene Aspera, head of the PNP Directorate for Records and Personnel Management, which will implement the IAS recommendation, also withheld the names of the policemen found to be administratively liable.

He said the accused were expected to file a motion for reconsideration (MR) and these should be resolved first before they implemented the IAS recommendations.

“Before that, we need to serve the proof of service to the concerned personnel. If they file a motion for reconsideration, we should resolve that first before our implementation,” Aspera said. “They might go after us.”

Aspera said that in the Espinosa case, there were recommendations for “demotion” and “suspension.”

In the case of SPO3 Ricky Sta. Isabel, who was linked to the Jee murder, Aspera said the IAS recommendation was “not yet final.”

“We don’t have the order yet. These personnel might file an MR. We are being careful so that we won’t be the subject of the case they will file,” he said.

Dela Rosa insisted that the President’s statement last week that he would pardon and even promote those involved in the killing of Mayor Espinosa would have no effect on the IAS recommendations.

“Yes, [the President] always says, ‘You have my support. You have my full support.” These [officers were given] due process. The IAS conducted a thorough investigation. What did they see? They saw that this should be dismissed, this should be demoted, this should suspended,” Dela Rosa said.

“I will support the IAS there,” he added.

Dela Rosa said the President had not seen the IAS recommendations and also did not interfere in the investigation.

“He does not interfere. He said it’s up to us to decide and he will just react to our decision. He does not want to interfere,” Dela Rosa said.

Dela Rosa said that the IAS would not be influenced by the President’s statement, adding that Mr. Duterte would have “no one to pardon” if the IAS were lenient with the accused lawmen.