MANILA -- The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday urged the public not to be swayed by remarks of communist rebels condemning the search warrant operations which resulted in the death of 14 suspects in Negros Oriental, which it tagged as "leftist propaganda".
“Let us not be fooled by leftist propaganda and fake news of a purported massacre. All deaths did not happen in one place but were the result of implementation of separate Search warrants that went awry when the subjects of the search operations put-up armed resistance,” said PNP chief, Gen. Oscar Albayalde, in a statement.
He also cried foul over allegations that the operation was a massacre.
"We do not want to unduly condemn our personnel for doing their job well of implementing lawful orders of the Court. We appeal to the public to be circumspect in making hasty conclusions and passing judgment on the police," Albayalde said.
Albayalde also shrugged off claims that the 12 others who were arrested were planted with evidence, stressing that such claim is "a common and flimsy alibi".
The country's top cop also lashed out at various leftist lawmakers who called for his resignation over the incident.
“Lahat naman pinagre-resign ng mga yan! (They want everybody to resign). The Filipino people are sick and tired of their lies,” Albayalde said in a text message sent to reporters when sought for a comment.
On Tuesday, Albayalde ordered the relief of four police officials in the province of Negros Oriental from their posts to give way to the investigation on the operations.
Relieved from their posts were Col. Raul Tacaca, Negros Oriental provincial police director; Lt. Colonel Patricio Degay, Canlaon City police chief; Lt. Kevin Roy Mamaradlo, Manjuyod municipal police chief; and Capt. Michael Rubia, Sta. Catalina police chief.
The relieved officers will be assigned at the Police Holding and Accounting Unit (PHAU) in Camp Crame.
The PNP chief, however, clarified that the order is not a punitive measure against the police officials. (PNA)
