Some of the police officers present at the congressional hearing on Monday. Screengrab: Committee hearing on Public Order and Safety
HOUSE Deputy Majority Leader Erwin Tulfo cited in contempt two more police officers, this time a police general and colonel for continuously lying in the Congressional hearing on the alleged unlawful arrest, arbitrary detention, and robbery of four Chinese nationals in Parañaque, September last year.
During the continuation of the inquiry, Tulfo manifested to Sta. Rosa, Laguna Rep. Dan Fernandez, chair of the Committee on Public Order and Safety to cite in contempt PBGEN Roderick D. Mariano, former Director of the PNP-Southern Police District (SPD) and PCOL Charlie A. Cabradilla, former comptroller head of SPD.
The two were both the immediate superiors of the police officers involved in the said case.
“Gen. Mariano, I think you are a disgrace to the Philippine National Police (PNP), especially to the officers corps, especially to the high ranking officers of what you did. Obvious na obvious po na nagsisinungaling ka. Obvious na obvious po na pinagtatakpan ka. Obvious po na pinipili ng mga tao mo sa ilalim, ayaw ka ituro,” Tulfo said during his interpelation.
‘Binabastos na ang komite’
“Parang binabastos na itong committee. Sir let us sight this people in contempt. Siguro nalulungkot itong anim na nakakulong sa baba, gusto siguro nilang magparty-party. I suggest isama na po ito mula kina Gen. Mariano at iba pang mga officers, para magkaroon sila ng party. Magparty sila roon hanggang ma-realize nila na nagsisinungaling sila,” Tulfo added.
After several debates from several other lawmakers including Fernandez, Antipolo Rep. Romeo Acop, 1-Rider partylist Rep. Bonifacio Bosita and Abang Lingkod partylist Rep, Joseph Stephen Paduano, the motion of Tulfo was approved.
Rep. Paduano then suggested that the two police officers will be detained in Congress for 30 days. However, Tulfo also manifested that the detention of the six other police officers whom he also earlier cited in contempt, be extended for another 15 days for again refusing to tell the truth before the congressional hearing.
“It would be unfair if we are putting Gen. Mariano and Col. Cabradilla on a 30-day arrest while the others are 15 days lang e sila yung mga number one na sinungaling. Unfair naman po yun. Kita namang harap-harapan ang pagsisinungaling nila. Why we are only giving them two weeks. Might as well give them another two weeks,” Tulfo said in his motion.
Detention days extended
Fernandez approved the motion extending the detention of six other police officers.
“The motion is approved. These six PNP personnel will be extending their stay here until such time they consider their statement in this committee,” Fernandez said in his decision.
For his part, Paduano, in spirit of fairness, reminded all the police officers detained in Congress that they can file a motion to question their detention.
“That is your right,” the lawmaker said. It can be recalled that only last week, Tulfo also cited in contempt six police officers—PLTCOL Jolet T. Guevara, PMAJ Jason D. Quijana, PMAJ John Patrick Magsalos, PSSG Roy G. Pioquinto, PSSG Mark J. Democrito, PSSG Danilo L. Desder— for perennial lying in the committee hearing.
Tulfo explained that he is not happy with his decision, but he has no choice.
“This investigation is not going anywhere because they are lying. May mga testigo na tayo ayaw pa magsalita,” Tulfo explained. “I hate to say this but we don’t have a choice. Para pong binabastos ang committee mo pinaglalaruan. Akala siguro mga batang paslit tayo sa Congress. We have to teach them a lesson, Mr. Chair,” he added.
