CPD head issues 'gag' order

Central Police District director Chief Superintendent Victor Luga has barred his police station commanders and investigators from giving information to the media on cases being investigated under his jurisdiction.

Members of the media immediately described this order as a curtailment of the right to information.

In a strongly-worded order issued last Monday, Luga said all press releases must be cleared by him before his public information officer, Felix Vargas, could relay them to the press.

However, reporters covering the Quezon City police beat noted that police chiefs and investigators have been tightlipped over investigation on cases since Luga assumed office Jan. 16, or even before the issuance of the controversial order.

Luga ordered all the police station commanders, chiefs of the Criminal Investigation Unit, District Police Intelligence Unit, Drug Enforcement Group, Mobile Patrol Unit, and the Intelligence and Investigation Division to avoid giving premature statements to the press regarding cases being investigated by the police.

Among the information that cannot be divulged are detailed concept of operations, target personalities, as well as particular police agents involved in the operation.

Luga warned his men against issuing speculative statements.

"Ungrounded speculations, baseless assumptions are the mother of blunders and errors," he concluded.

Luga stressed that "critical and sensitive information" must not be disclosed.

Investigators were barred from releasing information that are: of evidentiary value in criminal proceedings; which will prejudice the investigation or preempt future police operations; that may lead to the identity of the suspects; and that may unduly jeopardize the investigation or operation.

Luga added that members of the print and broadcast media shall not be allowed to enter any restricted or police-cordoned area or scene to ensure preservation of evidence.

In such instances, only authorized officer/team leaded shall present general information to media men who happen to be at the scene.

Meanwhile, a South Korean tourist was jailed the other day for mauling a Filipino interpreter he suspected of stealing his money inside his house in Quezon City.

Police have filed charges for physical injuries and serious illegal detention against Kim Ju Hee, 29, who is temporarily residing at 85 East Maya, Phil-Am Homes.

In his complaint, Paolo Pasaporte, 22, single, of Mayamot, Antipolo City, accused Kim of mauling him at around 4 p.m. last Sunday after a fight over P70,000.

Kim hired the services of Pasaporte as interpreter when he (Kim) arrived about 25 days ago.

On Sunday, Kim suspected Pasaporte of taking the money while inside the house in Phil Am Homes last weekend, which Pasaporte denied.