WELCOMES PROBE. Brig. Gen. Rene Pamuspusan, Police Regional Office 6 director, says that Lt. Col. Jovie Espenido welcomes investigation for violating the gag order of Philippine National Police chief Gen. Archie Gamboa. Pamuspusan summoned Espenido last week and his explanation is expected to reach Pamuspusan's office Monday (Feb. 24, 2020). (Contributed photo)
ILOILO CITY – The top cop of the Police Regional Office in Western Visayas (PRO 6) said Lt. Col. Jovie Espenido is willing to be investigated on defying the gag order of Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Archie Gamboa.
Espenido held a press conference in Bacolod last Feb. 19 and also entertained an interview in this city the next day.
Brig. Gen. Rene Pamuspusan, PRO 6 regional director, in a media interview Monday, said Espenido welcomes the investigation in connection with the said gag order.
Pamuspusan summoned Espenido for his explanation last week.
“I asked for his explanation why he had a press con in Bacolod despite the instruction of no less than our chief PNP for us to just wait for the announcement of Camp Crame regarding the (narco)list. I asked him to report to me personally last week and asked him his reasons for this inappropriate conduct of a press con because this is not authorized and not sanctioned by our leadership,” he added.
Pamuspusan said Espenido's explanation is expected to reach the regional director's office Monday.
In their meeting, Pamuspusan bared that Espenido was “very apologetic to the chief PNP.”
But the regional director told Espenido that the PRO 6 still needs to follow the regulation by the PNP.
“I have already reported to the chief PNP. We have made Lt. Col. Espenido explain his actions and if warranted, we will proceed with (the) administrative case against him,” he said.
With Espenido entertaining the Iloilo reporters, Pamuspusan said Espenido “is very respectful towards the media and other persons.”
He said the PRO 6 has already started with its adjudication proceedings and has already submitted their recommendations to Camp Crame.
Pamuspusan said the adjudication process should be a welcome proceeding for those included in the list to clear their name and save their career and reputation. (PNA)
