SENATOR Panfilo M. Lacson let loose Thursday, July 13, with President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s most used expletive to describe the order to return to active duty the police officer who was in command of the operation that led to the killing of Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa, Sr. late last year.

“In sum, there is a phrase to describe this whole damn thing: Put*ng I*a!” Mr. Lacson said in a message reacting to Mr. Duterte’s statement at the 26th anniversary of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology the day before.

“Sabi ko ibalik ninyo sa trabaho ’yang mama na ’yan (I said reinstate that man in the police force),” Mr. Duterte said.

Police Supt. Marvin Wynn Marcos, who commanded the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Region 8, was originally charged with murder with 16 other officers for the deaths of Espinosa and Raul Yap, who were both inmates at the Baybay City Sub-Provincial Jail. The Office of the Justice Secretary last month thereafter downgraded the charges to homicide.

The CIDG8 claimed the two supposedly shot it out inside their cells when officers tried to serve search warrants on them last November but the Senate, in an inquiry co-chaired by Mr. Lacson, and the National Bureau of Investigation concluded what happened was a rubout.

‘CHAGRINED’
Mr. Lacson’s colleagues in the Senate, practically crossing party lines, were also critical of Mr. Duterte’s order, as early as December last year, to reinstate Mr. Marcos, as also backed by Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Director-General Ronald M. de la Rosa in an interview with reporters on Wednesday.

“‘I’m disappointed’ is a very weak word. I am chagrined,” Senator Richard J. Gordon, who co-led with Mr. Lacson the said inquiry. “Doesn’t matter what I think but I do feel for justice.”

He added, “Gen. Bato, fix the illegal killings of people riding on motorcycles…. Alagad kayo ng batas, ayusin ninyo ang batas (You’re a servant of the law. Fix the law.).”

Senator Francis G. Escudero, said in part: “I still believe that by not pursuing cases against Marcos and treating him with kid gloves is a wasted opportunity for the administration to show and prove to the international community and its critics that it will not stand for abusive policemen and those who do shortcuts in violation of existing law in the performance of their duties.”

Senator Grace Poe in a text message said: “The questionable downgrading of the charge from murder to homicide against Marcos notwithstanding, it cannot be denied that there is probable cause that accused Marcos committed the crime. Therefore, his reinstatement to active duty may further tarnish the PNP as an institution that should value and uphold the rule of law in the performance of duty.”

She added, “The PNP could very well carry out its duties in protecting our people without somebody like Marcos and his cohorts.”

Senator Antonio F. Trillanes IV in his statement said: “Duterte not only set the murderers free, he now gave back their badges and guns so they could murder again with impunity. Why? Because Duterte fears that these policemen might rat out on him for what they know about his involvement in the Espinosa murder.”

The senator added, “Remember, it was divulged during the hearings that right after assuming office on June 30, Duterte had Marcos and company reassigned to CIDG8. But when Gen. De la Rosa relieved them for being implicated by Espinosa in the illegal drug trade and, at the same time, not having the required schooling to be assigned at CIDG, it was Duterte himself who ordered De la Rosa for their immediate reinstatement. Then just a few weeks after, Espinosa ended up getting murdered by Marcos’ group.”

‘CLOSE RANKS’
“This is outright obstruction of justice from the highest level of governance and Executive promotion of extrajudicial killings. For those who still deny that there are state-sanctioned killings, here is damning proof,” Senator Ana Theresia Hontiveros-Baraquel said for her part.

Senator Paolo Benigno A. Aquino IV in his statement said in part:”The reinstatement of murderous cops is a danger to the Filipino people.”

And Senator Francis N. Pangilinan said: “We hope the members of the Senate majority who signed the committee report will close ranks and fulfill its duty to act as a check and balance on the executive branch.”

For his part, Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto C. Abella said in response: “The President respects and abides by the rule of law. Police Superintendent Marvin Marcos has served his suspension and is eligible to be back to duty.

He added, “PNP Chief Ronald de la Rosa has confirmed the resolution of an administrative case which favored Police Superintendent Marvin Marcos and the 18 other policemen in Leyte linked in the Espinosa killing. We leave the matter to the Philippine National Police -Internal Affairs Service (PNP-IAS) to explain its decision.”

“The case, however, maybe appealed to the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM).” — main report by interaksyon.com, with Mario M. Banzon, Jil Danielle M. Caro, and Ian Nicolas P. Cigaral

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