MFBAI scores ex-WPD chief

A group of Manila policemen has assailed the alleged misbehavior and arrogance exhibited by a former director of the Western Police District (WPD) during a hearing at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) office in Intramuros, Manila last Thursday.

The officers and board of directors of the 10,000-strong Manila’s Finest Brotherhood Association, Inc. (MFBAI), in a position paper, strongly condemned the "conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman" of former WPD director Chief Superintendent Nicolas Pasinos.

MFBAI alleged that at about 2 p.m. Thursday along the Comelec corridors, an angry Pasinos confronted SPO2 Antonio Emmanuel, the group’s spokesman, and in a loud voice remarked: "Ikaw pala ang complainant sa kaso na ito (So, you are the complainant in this case)." To which Emmanuel replied,"Sir, sa Brotherhood lang po (It is the Brotherhood, sir)." Then Pasinos allegedly cursed,"Brotherhood, bullshit kayo (You are bullshit)."

The group added Pasinos also threatened Emmanuel by saying,"Hahanapan kita ng butas at humanda ka (Better watch out, I will find fault in you)."

The group said it condemned such conduct of Pasinos which "is unbecoming of a police general." The group further claimed Pasinos’ derogatory statements were uttered within hearing distance of people at the Comelec’s corridors.

The incident happened during a hearing called by the Comelec in connection with a criminal case filed by six MFBAI members against former National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Deputy Director General Edgar Aglipay, Pasinos, Senior Superintendents Oscar Mariñas, Apolinar Albajera and Nicasio Radovan and Senior Inspector Francisco Sevilla for violation of the Omnibus Election Code.

The complainants, SPO2 Luisito Aguilar, SPOs1 Noel Vizcarra, Danilo Malibiran and Noel de la Cruz, PO2 Julius Garcia and PO1 Joseph Flores, were questioning the legality of their transfer on June 8, 2002 despite the election ban on movement of personnel during election period.

The MFBAI counsel Fernando Rueda Perito said the group’s officers were present at Thursday’s Comelec hearing to provide moral support to the complainants.

Perito added the MFBAI is contemplating on filing an administrative case against Pasinos.