‘We were publicly persecuted’: Ex-cops linked by Rodrigo Duterte to drugs seek justice over ‘unjust’ dismissal
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‘We were publicly persecuted’: Ex-cops linked by Rodrigo Duterte to drugs seek justice over ‘unjust’ dismissal
Former police officers appeal against their alleged unfair dismissal from service after they were tagged in former President Rodrigo Duterte's narco-list. Paige Javier, ABS-CBN News
Former police officers appeal against their alleged unfair dismissal from service after they were tagged in former President Rodrigo Duterte's narco-list. Paige Javier, ABS-CBN NewsMANILA – Several former police officials on Thursday called for justice for their alleged unjust dismissal from service after former President Rodrigo Duterte tagged them in the illegal drug trade in 2016.
MANILA – Several former police officials on Thursday called for justice for their alleged unjust dismissal from service after former President Rodrigo Duterte tagged them in the illegal drug trade in 2016.
Dismissed officers from the Western Visayas police made their appeal at the House Quad Committee hearing.
Dismissed officers from the Western Visayas police made their appeal at the House Quad Committee hearing.
Among them were former regional intelligence chief PSupt. Ronald Allan Gepana and Gen. Bernardo Diaz.
Among them were former regional intelligence chief PSupt. Ronald Allan Gepana and Gen. Bernardo Diaz.
Gepana noted that on August 7, 2016, Duterte bared names of sitting and retired local government officials, policemen, and lawmen allegedly involved in the illegal drug trade.
Gepana noted that on August 7, 2016, Duterte bared names of sitting and retired local government officials, policemen, and lawmen allegedly involved in the illegal drug trade.
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He said the list was validated by the police and military, but some names were incomplete or misspelled, while one judge mentioned was already deceased.
He said the list was validated by the police and military, but some names were incomplete or misspelled, while one judge mentioned was already deceased.
After the then President's pronouncement, Gepana said they reported to Camp Crame the next day to adhere to Duterte's order to appear within 24 hours.
After the then President's pronouncement, Gepana said they reported to Camp Crame the next day to adhere to Duterte's order to appear within 24 hours.
"We were instantly berated and humiliated in front of national television without bothering to hear our side first for the sake of fairness. In the bar of public opinion, we were already adjudged guilty," he said.
"We were instantly berated and humiliated in front of national television without bothering to hear our side first for the sake of fairness. In the bar of public opinion, we were already adjudged guilty," he said.
Gepana claimed they received a memo with no specific charges from the Western Visayas office of National Police Commission (Napolcom) and were asked to comment.
Gepana claimed they received a memo with no specific charges from the Western Visayas office of National Police Commission (Napolcom) and were asked to comment.
"We were made to report to PNP-IAS (PNP Internal Affairs Service), where they interviewed us. But nothing came out of it and no charges were filed. We were then assigned to PHAO DPRM (Police Holding and Accounting Office Directorate for Personal Records Management), placed on floating status, and months after were eventually charged by Napolcom VI," he said.
"We were made to report to PNP-IAS (PNP Internal Affairs Service), where they interviewed us. But nothing came out of it and no charges were filed. We were then assigned to PHAO DPRM (Police Holding and Accounting Office Directorate for Personal Records Management), placed on floating status, and months after were eventually charged by Napolcom VI," he said.
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"They used our comments as basis to file a case against us for incompetence, gross neglect of duty and conduct unbecoming of a police officer," Gepana said.
"They used our comments as basis to file a case against us for incompetence, gross neglect of duty and conduct unbecoming of a police officer," Gepana said.
The former policemen questioned if Napolcom VI had jurisdiction over them since they were assigned to Camp Crame by that time.
The former policemen questioned if Napolcom VI had jurisdiction over them since they were assigned to Camp Crame by that time.
Gepana said Napolcom decided with finality their dismissal from service in 2021. But they allegedly did not receive a resolution explaining the decision in detail.
Gepana said Napolcom decided with finality their dismissal from service in 2021. But they allegedly did not receive a resolution explaining the decision in detail.
Some cases are pending before the Civil Service Commission, while that of Diaz is at the Supreme Court.
Some cases are pending before the Civil Service Commission, while that of Diaz is at the Supreme Court.
Gepana said there was a "common denominator" among the personnel mentioned by Duterte.
Gepana said there was a "common denominator" among the personnel mentioned by Duterte.
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"Almost all were formerly assigned with Iloilo City Police Office. Some were former city directors, intelligence officers and station commanders, which was then under the operational control of Iloilo City mayor Jed Mabilog, who was also included in the list," he said.
"Almost all were formerly assigned with Iloilo City Police Office. Some were former city directors, intelligence officers and station commanders, which was then under the operational control of Iloilo City mayor Jed Mabilog, who was also included in the list," he said.
Mabilog had fled the country for fear for his life, following his inclusion on Duterte's drug list. He returned to the Philippines in September.
Mabilog had fled the country for fear for his life, following his inclusion on Duterte's drug list. He returned to the Philippines in September.
The former cop lamented their "unfair" dismissal from the PNP.
The former cop lamented their "unfair" dismissal from the PNP.
"For the past eight years, we struggled to overcome our predicament. We are financially, mentally and emotionally challenged. Needless to say, our morale was also affected. We were publicly persecuted… We have to bear the stigma of being labeled as drug protectors," Gepana said.
"For the past eight years, we struggled to overcome our predicament. We are financially, mentally and emotionally challenged. Needless to say, our morale was also affected. We were publicly persecuted… We have to bear the stigma of being labeled as drug protectors," Gepana said.
"What bothered us most is that when we were finally dismissed, the one from Napolcom VI who penned the decision for our dismissal apologized to each of us on different occasions. According to him, they really have no basis to dismiss us but their hands are tired as they are only following instructions from higher ups," he added.
"What bothered us most is that when we were finally dismissed, the one from Napolcom VI who penned the decision for our dismissal apologized to each of us on different occasions. According to him, they really have no basis to dismiss us but their hands are tired as they are only following instructions from higher ups," he added.
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Gepana said he believed their inclusion in Duterte's drug list was the only basis for their dismissal.
Gepana said he believed their inclusion in Duterte's drug list was the only basis for their dismissal.
"We hope that those responsible for this injustice, including those people who knew it was wrong but still covered it up by their silence and inaction, will be held accountable," he said.
"We hope that those responsible for this injustice, including those people who knew it was wrong but still covered it up by their silence and inaction, will be held accountable," he said.
The individual tasked to oversee the pre-charge investigation of the said officers said they were only following the memorandum issued by the Napolcom central office.
The individual tasked to oversee the pre-charge investigation of the said officers said they were only following the memorandum issued by the Napolcom central office.
"We endeavored to ask reports from the PNP mismo. From there, we establish probable cause... Based on the findings of the investigator, they found probable cause and they recommended summary dismissal," PInsp. Napoleon Arostique Jr. said.
"We endeavored to ask reports from the PNP mismo. From there, we establish probable cause... Based on the findings of the investigator, they found probable cause and they recommended summary dismissal," PInsp. Napoleon Arostique Jr. said.
"Based on evidence po, baka manipis and they relied on the President's pronouncement. Yun ginamit to find probable cause and sufficient evidence," Napolcom Vice Chairperson Ricardo Bernabe said when asked for his opinion.
"Based on evidence po, baka manipis and they relied on the President's pronouncement. Yun ginamit to find probable cause and sufficient evidence," Napolcom Vice Chairperson Ricardo Bernabe said when asked for his opinion.
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"I would agree there was a certain bias on the officers… because of naming them in the list," he added.
"I would agree there was a certain bias on the officers… because of naming them in the list," he added.
Antipolo Rep. Romeo Acop, a former police officer, quizzed Arostique about the probe they conducted.
Antipolo Rep. Romeo Acop, a former police officer, quizzed Arostique about the probe they conducted.
"Meron po bang private complainant?" he asked.
"Meron po bang private complainant?" he asked.
"Wala, your honor. We conducted a motu proprio investigation… based on the pronouncement of the former President," Arostique responded.
"Wala, your honor. We conducted a motu proprio investigation… based on the pronouncement of the former President," Arostique responded.
Acop questioned why they initiated an investigation if there was no private complainant.
Acop questioned why they initiated an investigation if there was no private complainant.
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Arostique said they could do so if there was an allegation.
Arostique said they could do so if there was an allegation.
The House quad comm is looking into the Duterte administration’s drug war, which left around 6,000 people dead.
The House quad comm is looking into the Duterte administration’s drug war, which left around 6,000 people dead.
Duterte in October said he was taking “full legal responsibility” for the anti-narcotics crackdown.
Duterte in October said he was taking “full legal responsibility” for the anti-narcotics crackdown.
“My mandate as president was to protect the country and the Filipino people, do not question my policies because I offer no apologies, no excuses, I did what I had to do and whether you believe it or not I did it for my country," Duterte said.
“My mandate as president was to protect the country and the Filipino people, do not question my policies because I offer no apologies, no excuses, I did what I had to do and whether you believe it or not I did it for my country," Duterte said.
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