Razon orders probe into lapses in security provided to Lozada

MANILA, Philippines – Philippine National Police chief Director General Avelino Razon Jr. ordered an administrative investigation into the alleged lapses committed by some police personnel tasked to provide security to Senate witness Rodolfo Noel Lozada Jr., even as the PNP still maintained that the police merely provided security to the witness.

“We want to look into the allegation of Mr. Lozada that some policemen mishandled the security extended to him,” said Razon.

Razon instructed Director Jefferson Soriano, chief of the Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management (DIDM), to  ensure the speedy and impartial investigation on concerned personnel from the Police Security and Protection Office(PSPO) and the Aviation Security Group (ASG) who were involved in providing security to Lozada when he arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) from Hong Kong last Feb. 5.

Lozada had accused the PNP of abducting him at the NAIA to prevent him from testifying in the Senate regarding the scrapped $329-million national broadband network contract granted by the government to ZTE Corp. of China.

In his initial report, Soriano said a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was formed last Feb. 8 on orders of the PNP chief to look into possible lapses committed by PSPO and ASG personnel in the coordination and execution of existing Police Operational Procedures, specifically, in providing VIP security to Lozada.

“The purpose of the investigation is to determine if there was any violation of existing regulations or non-compliance with the Police Operational Procedures,” Soriano added.

Soriano said PSPO director Chief Superintendent Romeo Hilomen, ASG director Chief Superintendent Atilano Morada, PSPO deputy director Senior Superintendent Paul Mascariñas, and PSPO personnel Senior Police Officer 3 Lou Ochea, SPO2 Glecerio Gallinera, SPO2 Jaime Jalug, SPO2 Nelson Malto, and PO1 William Quililan were summoned to appear before the DIDM Special Investigation Team.

He said both PSPO and ASG were required to submit their respective After-Operations Report including the individual affidavits detailing the scope and extent of participation of each personnel involved in the operation.

The PSPO was also required by the SIT to submit a copy of the PSPO Operational Procedures, rules, regulations and guidelines pertaining to VIP security operations.

Soriano assured the respondents of a speedy, expeditious and impartial investigation, with emphasis on the right to due process and a fair hearing.

“The PNP will not hesitate to impose penalties and sanctions against those found culpable,” Soriano said.