Former PDEA-7 chief accused of threats

CEBU, Philippines - A reporter has requested the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas to investigate the former chief of Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-7 for alleged harassment and threats.

Rey Pasaporte, a reporter of radio dyDD and a correspondent of BANAT News asked the Office of the Ombudsman to investigate former PDEA-7 chief Adrian Alvariño for possible administrative and criminal liability.

The Cebu Federation of Beat Journalists assisted Pasaporte in filing the complaint.

CFBJ President Elias Baquero said they believe Alvariño violated the law on the freedom of the press, ethical standards on officials and employees of government and the Revised Penal Code.

“The reporters are just performing their duty and responsibility and no other,” he said.

In his affidavit, Pasaporte said on Sept. 24, 2011 at around 3:05 p.m. he was at the boarding house of his colleague Defense PNP Press Corps President Chito Aragon with fellow reporters Ria Mae Booc and Gabriel Bonjoc in Barangay San Antonio, Cebu City, when he made a call to Alvariño.

Pasaporte said he made the call after his editor told him that the latter planned to file a libel case against him in connection with the article he wrote titled “Dinakpan sa PDEA gibuhian human Mobayad? Alvariño gipabawna’g P800 mil?” to verify.

He said he wanted to get the side of Alvariño before the day the article appeared in BANAT News but the latter allegedly did not want to be interviewed according to PDEA information officer Jessie Tabanao.

Pasaporte said he received a text message from Alvariño allegedly saying “pacensyahan tayo” and in a call the latter alleged said “Ito na lang. Tandaan mo yan Rey ha, babalikan kita dyan.”

The FREEMAN tried to get the side of Alvariño but he was not available for comment. 

Aragon also condemned the statement of Alvariño, he said Pasaporte was just performing his duty but Alvariño sent inappropriate messages.

Pasaporte said he was happy with the support of the DEPP and the CFBJ. (FREEMAN)