MANILA – A House of Representatives panel on Monday cited two high ranking police officers in contempt for continuously lying during the inquiry into the alleged unlawful arrest, arbitrary detention, and robbery of four Chinese nationals in Parañaque City in September last year.
The Committee on Public Order and Safety cited former Philippine National Police-Southern Police District (PNP-SPD) director Brig. Gen. Roderick Mariano and former SPD comptroller head Col. Charlie Cabradilla in contempt upon motion of ACT-CIS Party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo.
“I think you are a disgrace to the Philippine National Police, especially to the officers corps, especially to the high ranking officers of what you did,” Tulfo told Mariano.
“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 (It’s so obvious that you are lying. It’s so obvious that you are being covered up. Your men obviously chose not to reveal you,” he added.
After Tulfo’s motion was approved, Abang Lingkod Party-list Rep. Joseph Stephen Paduano moved that the Mariano and Cabradilla be detained in Congress for 30 days.
Tulfo manifested that the detention of the six other police officers whom he also earlier cited in contempt for refusing to tell the truth before the House panel, be extended for another 15 days.
The six police officers are Lt. Col. Jolet T. Guevara, Maj. Jason D. Quijana, Maj. John Patrick Magsalos, and Staff Sergeants Roy G. Pioquinto, Mark J. Democrito, and Danilo L. Desder.
“It would be unfair if we are putting Gen. Mariano and Col. Cabradilla on a 30-day arrest while the others are 15 days only while they are the number one liars,” Tulfo said. “It cannot be denied that they are lying straight to our face, then why give them only two weeks' arrest. It seems unfair.”
Committee chairperson Rep. Dan Fernandez of Santa Rosa City approved the contempt motion.
In spirt of fairness, Paduano said the detained police officers can file a motion to question the panel’s decision.
“That is you right,” Paduano told the police officers. (PNA)
