Sacked over food, crime lab officer wants post back

URDANETA CITY — The chief of the police crime laboratory here and five of his men, who were sacked unceremoniously for allegedly asking for food from the family of a slain judge, want to go back to their old posts "to help give real justice" to the victim’s loved ones.

Chief Inspector Panfilo Regis, who headed the crime lab here since 1994, told The STAR in a phone interview, "Sana po makabalik kami sa Urdaneta para maibigay namin ang totoong diwa ng katarungan (We hope we can go back to Urdaneta so we can really give true justice)."

Regis got the biggest surprise in his 23-year police career when Philippine National Police chief Director General Arturo Lomibao verbally informed him that he was being relieved from his post when Lomibao went to Natividad town last Sept. 28 to condole with the family of slain Pasay City Judge Estrellita Paas and check the progress of the investigation.

Paas, 61, was stabbed dead inside her residence last Sept. 23. Her husband, lawyer Reinerio Paas, found her body when he returned home after attending a school induction. The couple had no house companions.

A Paas family member allegedly told Lomibao that Regis and his team had asked for food when they came to investigate the killing.

Regis, together with two other members of the scene of the crime operations based in Urdaneta City, rushed to the Paas residence after the Natividad police sought their help.

Regis vehemently denied the allegation against him. "Sa palagay ninyo, madam, sisirain ko ang career ko dahil lang sa pagkain na ‘yan (Do you think, madam, I would destroy my career just because of that food)?" he said.

Expressing hope that truth will finally come out, Regis recalled that after they conducted the investigation, the Paas family asked them to eat first before leaving.

But since it was late when his team finished their task, Regis said they asked permission to leave.

But someone in the house told Regis that she would place the pancit (noodles) in their service vehicle. Regis said they could not refuse what he thought was a kind gesture.

Regis said he received the written order on their relief the other day. He and his men are now on "floating status" at the regional police headquarters in San Fernando City.

"Nakakalungkot talaga ang kapalaran namin pero kailangan pong sumunod sa utos (What befell us is really saddening, but we have to follow orders)," he said.

If only he would have his way, Regis said he would ask for their return to Urdaneta City because he and his men — a chemist, and ballistic and paraffin test experts — have to attend to many cases as well as almost daily court hearings.

Regis said he and his men have important findings on the Paas’ killing which are vital to the solution of the case.

"Gusto rin namin talagang makatulong para maibigay ang totoong hustisya (We really want to help give real justice)," he said.

As of press time, police probers still had no suspects in the killing.