Tulfo seeks probe into PNP's 'persistent failure' to follow operational protocols
By Dhel Nazario
Sen. Raffy Tulfo has filed a Senate resolution seeking to investigate the Philippine National Police's (PNP) "persistent failure" to follow police operational procedures.
In a statement, he said that this was in relation to the alleged abuse, killings, and human rights violations involving police officers.
Under Senate Resolution (SR) No. 767, Tulfo cited several failed operations of the members of the PNP, including that of Pandi, Bulacan, and Rogriguez, Rizal.
Tulfo recalled the Aug. 12 incident wherein Pandi, Bulacan PNP entered the property of Rodelio Vicente claiming they were conducting a manhunt for an alias “Elmer.” Vicente, who sought Tulfo’s help through his program “Raffy Tulfo in Action,” was taken into custody and arrested for allegedly committing Direct Assault and Disobedience to a person in Authority without any warrant of arrest or justification.
The senator shared that the said police officers were not wearing their uniform but were wearing ski masks instead during the said manhunt operations and even physically assaulted Vicente’s daughter.
Further, Tulfo added that Vicente’s son was just visiting his father in the precinct when he was taken into custody by the PNP Pandi Bulacan Police for allegedly committing Direct Assault and Disobedience to a person in Authority.
Tulfo also recalled the case of John Francis Ompad who was killed by Police Corporal Arnulfo Sabillo of the PNP Rodriguez, Rizal on August 20.
Reportedly, the incident started when PCpl. Sabillo chased after John Ace, John Francis’ brother, for allegedly refusing to show his documents and driving away at an “Oplan Sita” checkpoint.
John Ace purportedly threw his helmet at PCpl. Sabillo because he allegedly saw the backrider of Sabillo, Jeffrey Baguio, a civilian, pulling something out. PCpl. Sabillo then allegedly tried to shoot John Ace but it hit John Francis instead who was just coming out of their house.
“Aforementioned two incidents happened within the same month; and just weeks after the death of Jerhode Jemboy Baltazar who was killed by PNP Police Operatives from Navotas under a claim of mistaken identity. The operation was found to have had several irregularities and non-compliance with the PNP Police Operations Procedure,” the resolution read.
“The protection of human rights is a fundamental principle enshrined in the Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines. And there is a need for the Police to strictly observe their Police Operations Procedure and to ensure strict application of the internal discipline of the PNP,” it added.