The Quezon City People's Law Enforcement Board (PLEB) thanked the Department of Labor and Interior and Local Government (DILG) for junking the appeal of the police officer involved in the recent bar shooting and hit-and-run incidents in the city.
PLEB Chairman and Executive Officer lawyer Rafael Calinisan said the swift action of the DILG against Lt. Col. Mark Julio Abong, the policeman who was liable for the hit-and-run incident in August, 2022 which left a tricycle driver dead and in the incident where he fired his gun outside a bar in Quezon City on Nov. 26, is a "win" not just for the PLEB, but more importantly, for the Filipino people.
Calinisan stated that the PLEB is morally convinced that the suspect is guilty.
“During the course of our proceedings, the PLEB was more than morally convinced that Abong was guilty of all the charges filed against him. Klaro ang kanyang kasalanan sa batas, at ang cover up na ginawa pagkatapos. Hindi kami papayag sa PLEB na maging kasangkapan ng injustice. Hindi kami papaimpluwensya sa mali at mga mapang abusong tao sa lipunan (During the course of our proceedings, the PLEB was more than morally convinced that Abong was guilty of all the charges filed against him. His violation of the law was clear, as well as the cover-up he orchestrated afterwards. We, at the PLEB, will not allow ourselves to be used as tools of injustice. We will not be influenced by wrongdoers and abusers in society),” he said.
According to Calinisan, Abong and his accomplices also personally filed charges against him and the PLEB.
“Pinersonal at kinasuhan din ako ni Abong at ng kanyang mga kasama sa cover up, to make life difficult for me and the PLEB (Abong and his accomplices personally filed charges against me to make life difficult for me and the PLEB),” he said.
“Pero hindi tayo nagpatinag. Kakadismiss lang ng mga kasong ito laban sa akin (However, we did not waver. These cases against me were just recently dismissed ),” he added.
According to Calinisan, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte and the QCitizens entrusted the PLEB to defend them against abusive policemen.
“We will not betray this trust, even when no one is watching us,” he said.
“I appeal to the Napolcom (National Police Commission) to again look into revising its rules to provide utmost clarity that the PLEB's decisions should be, as it must be, immediately executory even pending appeal. We maintain to this day that our original decision as early as March 2023 should have been immediately implemented,” Calinisan said.
“The law is clear, the intent of the law is clear, but the implementing rules are not. Our legal study is attached to this statement. Kung inimplement lang ang decision namin ng maaga, hindi na sana nakaulit pa si Abong sa kanyang kalokohan (The law is clear, its intent is clear, but the implementing rules are not. Our legal study is attached to this statement. If our decision had been implemented early on, Abong would not have been able to repeat his misconduct),” he added.
He also called on all the mayors and lawmakers in the country to establish PLEBs in their cities.
“Nananawagan kami sa lahat ng mga mayor sa buong bansa na magtatag din ng PLEB sa inyong mga lugar. Importante ito na check and balance mechanism ng ordinaryong tao laban sa mapang-abusong pulis. Tutulong kami sa lahat ng LGUs na hihingi sa amin ng tulong for any benchmarking activity (We are calling on all mayors across the country to establish their PLEBs in your respective areas. This is important as a check and balance mechanism for ordinary people against abusive police officers. We are ready to assist all LGUs seeking our help for any benchmarking activity),” he said.
“Nanawagan din kami ulit sa mga mambabatas na mas lalo pang palakasin ang PLEB. Marami pa pong malalaking improvement sa batas na maaring gawin. Handa po kaming magbigay ng aming suhestiyon sa inyo (We also call on lawmakers to further strengthen the PLEB. There are still many significant improvements that can be made to the law. We are ready to provide our suggestions to you),” he added.
Calinisan thanked Mayor Joy Belmonte for her support and in believing that justice is for everyone.
“Ma'am, habang buhay po ako na magpapasalamat for believing that justice should be not just for the rich and powerful, but most especially for the ordinary Filipino (Ma'am, I will be forever grateful to you for believing that justice should be not just for the rich and powerful but most especially for the ordinary Filipino),” he said.
He also acknowledged the support of former Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Rodolfo Azurin Jr. and its current Chief Benjamin Acorda Jr.
Calinisan expressed PLEB's commitment to the public and gave assurance that they will carry out their responsibilities with justice and fairness.
“Nangangako kami sa taong-bayan na gagampanan namin ang aming tungkulin ng patas at tama. It is my life's mission to always do what is right and what is just. Umasa kayo na may mga tao pa din na nangangarap ng makabuluhang pagbabago sa ating lipunan. Sa gabay ng Maykapal, kasangga nyo kami tungo sa tunay na pagbabago. Ipagdasal ninyo kami (We promise the public that we will fulfill our duties fairly and justly. It is my life's mission to always do what is right and just. Let your trust repose on people who dream of meaningful change in our society. With the guidance of the Almighty, we stand with you towards true progress. Please pray for us),” he stated.