The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) has "failed to respond properly and adequately" to the letter sent by the People's Law Enforcement Board's (PLEB), the body that is currently investigating the police district's alleged red-tagging.
This was according to Lawyer Rafael Calinisan, PLEB executive officer, who also said he has "been waiting for reply" from the QCPD to his text message and letter, but as of Thursday, there are still no replies from them yet.
"I’m actually bothered that I’m not getting any reply when this is a matter of significant importance," Calinisan told Manila Bulletin in a Viber call.
"Hindi ko kaya ng walang sagot (I can't bear not receiving any responses). And justice delayed is justice denied. Hindi pwedeng next year itong sagutang 'to (The police must be able to reply immediately and not take until next year to do so," he added.
QCPD Director Brig. Gen. Antonio Yarra said he already reached out to Mayor Joy Belmonte and assured her that he already reminded police officers "to be more circumspect and sensitive in their functions to protect the interest of the people." But the PLEB insists on getting an answer from the QCPD.
"The fact remains that we’ve written them. Di naman pupwedeng (It shouldn't happen that) we would be remiss in our responsibility. At the very least, they should inform us, we are the watchdogs of the PNP (Philppine National Police). Ano yun dededmahin lang ang PLEB? (Do they just want to disregard PLEB?)" Calinisan said.
On Monday night, the QCPD shared a Facebook post linking community pantries to communists. The incident drew a massive backlash from the public after Ana Patricia Non, the proponent of the Maginhawa Community Pantry, also temporarily closed the pantry's operations due to safety concerns.
Calinisan said there is "definitely" a misconduct "on the part of some policemen" over what happened.
"Is this an isolated incident? Is this an act of only a handful of policemen? Or is there a bigger scheme to this?" he added.
The PLEB head also called on Non to seek assistance from the PLEB to expedite the filing of charges.
"If she's interested, the doors of PLEB are open," Calinisan said, "But we (PLEB) will not be cowed in investigating this matter."