Malacañang has assured the public on Tuesday that the killing of a rape victim allegedly by two policemen is now being investigated by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque made the assurance even after attesting that the Philippine National Police (PNP) is by and large honest and professional.
“Kapag pulis po ang akusado, NBI po ang nag-iimbestiga para patas po ang imbestigasyon, so, huwag po kayong mag-alala (When a policeman is accused, the NBI conducts the probe to ensure a fair investigation so do not worry),” he said during a televised press briefing.
“I will personally communicate with the OIC NBI Director (Eric) Distor for the details of their investigation,” he said.
The two policemen from San Juan Municipal Police Station in Ilocos Sur have been charged for the murder of the 15-year-old girl who accused them of rape. The teenager was reportedly shot dead on the way home after she and her cousin filed rape complaints against the police officers in a nearby town.
Roque recognized that there may be few “bad apples” in the police force that taint its reputation.
“Ang tingin ko naman po, marangal po ang PNP by and large, sila po ay propesyunal. Siyempre po, sa dami ng mga pulis sa kanilang hanay siguro po may ilan diyan na bad apple (I think PNP is honorable by and large. They are professional. Of course, there may be a few bad apples among the many policemen),” he said.