PNP generals probed for campaigning for Lacson

At least eight police generals and senior officers of the Philippine National Police (PNP) are now being investigated for allegedly engaging in partisan politics by campaigning for former police chief and now senatorial candidate Director General Panfilo Lacson.

Acting PNP chief Deputy Director General Leandro Mendoza directed Chief Superintendent Nestorio Gualberto yesterday to submit to him a report on the investigation after one week.

"The PNP chief would like to determine on whose authority these police officers are acting and why they are seen in the campaign of the former police chief," Gualberto explained.

Ordered investigated were Ilocos region police director Chief Superintendent Jose Ayap, Central Visayas region police director Chief Superintendent Tiburcio Fusillero, Western Mindanao region police director Chief Superintendent Dominador Domingo, and Region II Senior Superintendent Gregorio Dolina.

Also probed were Traffic Management Group (TMG) director Chief Superintendent Renato Paredes and Chief Superintendents Romeo Acop and his younger brother, Reynaldo; Victor Batac, Senior Superintendents Cesar Mancao and Michael Ray Aquino and Diosdado Valeroso, all known allies of the former police chief.

PNP officials also directed the police officials of Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur and Davao City to explain in writing why they were seen actively participating in Lacson’s campaign.

"The conduct of investigation started following reports received from the police offices that these police officers were actively campaigning for the former police chief," Gualberto told a press conference yesterday.

Mendoza emphasized that the conduct of the probe should be a warning against other police officers who are planning to support political candidates in the May 14 polls.

"The PNP chief stressed the PNP should remain apolitical at all times and use of the manpower and resources of the PNP is a grave violation of the Omnibus Election Code," Gualberto said.

The CIDG chief revealed that the police officers were seen escorting Lacson during his campaign sorties recently in the provinces. Apart from being physically visible in the campaign, most TMG resources such as mobile cars and motorcycles were seen in escorting Lacson.