By Camille A. Aguinaldo, Reporter
SENATOR Panfilo M. Lacson on Tuesday said the Philippine National Police (PNP) should redirect its efforts in profiling teachers’ groups to discharged police and military personnel who have become guns for hire.
The senator said focusing on these individuals, who he said are likely skilled with firearms and other weapons, can even help solve or preempt crimes. He added that there were many cases during his stint as PNP chief of expelled law enforcers being tagged as suspects in heinous crimes.
“The PNP should instead conduct profiling and surveillance on dishonorably discharged PNP and AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) personnel to keep track of their post-discharged activities including their lifestyle,” he said in a statement.
“In that way, they may be able to solve a lot of crimes, even preempt them,” he added.
He also cited PNP’s recent statements indicating that killers of the AKO Bicol party-list Rep. Rodel M. Batocabe included former military personnel.
Mr. Lacson said he intends to raise the matter when the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs investigates the recent killings of politicians, a journalist, and a human rights lawyer last year.
Several resolutions have been filed in the Senate seeking for the investigation into deaths of Tanuan City, Batangas, Mayor Antonio C. Halili; Trece Martires, Cavite, Vice-Mayor Alexander Lubigan; Ronda, Cebu, Mayor Mariano Blanco III; radio anchor Joey Llana, and human-rights lawyer Benjamin Ramos, Jr., among others.
Mr. Lacson’s statements came after the PNP relieved three intelligence officers over an allegedly “leaked” document ordering the profiling of the members of the left-leaning Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) party-list.
For their part, ACT-Teachers Partylist Representatives Antonio L. Tino and France L. Castro said they will file cases against the PNP and Department of Interior and Local Government in connection with the “leaked” profiling of members of their group.
“ACT will be taking legal actions. Ang malinaw na nilabag dito ay basic rights, including the right to privacy ng mga guro,” Mr. Tinio said in a briefing on Tuesday. (What was clearly violated were basic rights, including the right to privacy).
“Most likely, mag-pa-file ng charges sa Ombudsman,” he said, adding that the party-list group will also look into the possible violation of election laws. (Most likely, the charges will be filed before the Ombudsman).
PNP Chief Director-General Oscar D. Albayalde has denied authorizing the profiling and ordered the relief of the three officers implicated in leaking confidential documents. — with Charmaine A. Tadalan

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