Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito on Monday said he received reports that some police officers refused to serve warrants against suspects involved the killing of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo. “I received disturbing information that during the early part of the investigation, nung nagpapaserve ng warrant ang task force, DOJ, and other investigating bodies, there are officers in the regional and provincial offices of the PNP who refused (to serve the warrant). Sabi pa nga nila, ‘Parang balewala naman ‘yang mga warrant na ‘yan,’” he said during a hearing of the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs. “We have to look into this for the institution of reforms for the PNP. Nakakabahala ito. Ibig sabihin, nacompromise na talaga ang ilang opisyales doon sa regional at sa provincial (offices),” he added. Local Government Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. confirmed that he has received similar complaints but declined to make any conclusions since investigations on the Degamo assassination are still ongoing. “May naririnig din akong ganyan, Senator JV, yung ganyang mga sumbong […] Pero ayaw ko pong mag-judge sa ating mga kapulisan. Ang ating kapulisan, mga bayani po iyan. Iilan lang po yung mga (pasaway) po diyan,” he said. For his part, Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, who presided over the hearing, said police officers should not be subject to the influence of local politicians. He said lawmakers should explore possible amendments to the Local Government Code of 1991 in strengthening the autonomy of local police units. “Nakakadismaya if maconfirm yung information na ‘yan. Paano nalang yung sinasabi natin sa PNP, na to enforce the law without fear or favor? Dapat wala kayong kinakatakutan diyan,” he said. On March 4, Degamo, along with eight others, was shot dead inside his Pamplona home while facilitating the payout of medical assistance for clients of the provincial government. Most of the suspects were found to be former Army soldiers
April 17, 2023
Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito on Monday
said he received reports that some police officers refused to serve warrants
against suspects involved the killing of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo.
“I received disturbing information that during
the early part of the investigation, nung nagpapaserve ng warrant ang task
force, DOJ, and other investigating bodies, there are officers in the regional
and provincial offices of the PNP who refused (to serve the warrant). Sabi pa
nga nila, ‘Parang balewala naman ‘yang mga warrant na ‘yan,’” he said during a
hearing of the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs.
“We have to look into this for the institution
of reforms for the PNP. Nakakabahala ito. Ibig sabihin, nacompromise na talaga
ang ilang opisyales doon sa regional at sa provincial (offices),” he added.
Local Government Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr.
confirmed that he has received similar complaints but declined to make any
conclusions since investigations on the Degamo assassination are still ongoing.
“May naririnig din akong ganyan, Senator JV,
yung ganyang mga sumbong [...] Pero ayaw ko pong mag-judge sa ating mga
kapulisan. Ang ating kapulisan, mga bayani po iyan. Iilan lang po yung mga
(pasaway) po diyan,” he said.
For his part, Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa,
who presided over the hearing, said police officers should not be subject to
the influence of local politicians.
He said lawmakers should explore possible
amendments to the Local Government Code of 1991 in strengthening the autonomy
of local police units.
“Nakakadismaya if maconfirm yung information
na ‘yan. Paano nalang yung sinasabi natin sa PNP, na to enforce the law without
fear or favor? Dapat wala kayong kinakatakutan diyan,” he said.
On March 4, Degamo, along with eight others, was shot
dead inside his Pamplona home while facilitating the payout of medical
assistance for clients of the provincial government. Most of the suspects were
found to be former Army soldiers.