Honasan, Sotto push Senate probe of PNP rubout, drug theft controversies

Senators Vicente Sotto III and Gregorio Honasan FILE PHOTOS

MANILA, Philippines—Minority senators Gregorio Honasan and Vicente Sotto III have asked the Senate committees on public order and dangerous drugs and on justice and human rights to look into the alleged cases of rubout committed by the Philippine National Police in the course of its operations against crime groups.

Honasan and Sotto filed Senate Resolution No. 98 on the heels of the killing of Ozamis Gang members Ricky Cadavero and Wilfredo Pangalinga, Jr., while in police custody, and the alleged robbery of as much as P20 million in cash and 80 kilos of methamphetamine hydrochloride after the recapture of two Chinese drug traffickers.

The two senators’ resolution also mentioned the Atimonan massacre at a joint checkpoint of the PNP and the Armed Forces in January this year.

“These incidents require investigation or inquiry to avoid premature and prejudicial trial by publicity. The lives, property and honor of our citizens should be protected and that includes our responsible officers,” Honasan said in a statement.

Honasan also adverted to the statement of PNP Director-General Alan Purisima on supposed attempts to discredit the institution by destroying the reputation of those involved in the operations.

“I was a victim of trial by publicity… I believe they are suffering a low morale since there is no case filed in court against them. But as the Chief PNP stated, we should find out the truth, and where the offense is, let the great axe fall,” Honasan said.

Sen. Grace Poe, the chair of the Senate committee on public order, said she would like to know where the operational lapses happened.

“As long as the agencies that are supposed to do the investigating is doing their job, I do not think the Senate should overstep its mandate,” Poe said.

“However, I think we need to do separate briefings from the heads of the PNP and those that have influence among their peers to see the lapses,” she added.

Poe said she has asked Honasan, a member of the Senate minority, to be a vice chair in the committee on public order.

The panel has jurisdiction over matters related to the PNP, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology and the Bureau of Fire Protection.  It also has jurisdiction over issues regarding illegal drugs.

“I know it’s not easy.  That is why I requested Senator Gringo Honasan to be my vice chairman.  I think, in principle, he already accepted it but he has to discuss it with the minority,” Poe said.

“But he seemed very interested and very happy about it. Let us wait for his announcement,” she added.

Honasan was the security officer during the presidential campaign of in 2004 of Poe’s late father, Fernando Poe, Jr.