PNP chief to IAS: Draft decision on cops implicated in Espinosa slay

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa has ordered the PNP Internal Affairs Service (PNP-IAS) to draft the decision on the case of police officers implicated in the death of Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr. (Photo: Philippine National Police/ Facebook)

MANILA—Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa has ordered the PNP Internal Affairs Service (PNP-IAS) to draft the decision on the case of police officers implicated in the death of Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr.

The decision will determine the fate of Supt. Marvin Marcos and 18 other members of the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) in Region 8 (Eastern Visayas), who were tagged in the alleged murder of Espinosa while he was detained in the Baybay, Leyte sub-provincial jail on Nov. 5, 2016.

PNP-IAS deputy inspector general Director Leo Angelo Leuterio said Dela Rosa ordered the decision to be drafted so he could sign the document.

“Iyong resolution namin with our recommendation, ibinigay namin kay Bato so agree siya doon. Ibinalik niya, at [sinabi niya na] ‘Kayo na rin mag-draft ng decision para pirmahan ko na lang,’” Leuterio said.

He added that Dela Rosa agreed with the findings of the IAS, and that the PNP chief is ready to uphold the IAS’ recommendations in the administrative case against Marcos.

However, the PNP-IAS official declined to disclose their recommendations.

Leuterio said they will let the PNP chief decide what to reveal to the public.

Marcos and his group are facing administrative cases for grave misconduct, and if the PNP-IAS findings fall under this category, all of the respondents would face dismissal from service.

“The decision of the chief [of the] PNP is final and executory, immediately after he decides, he can direct the director for personnel and records management to issue the order dismissing such personnel from the police service,” Leuterio said.

On the other hand, the PNP-IAS official clarified that while Marcos and his group have the option to file for an appeal with the PNP chief, the National Police Commission (Napolcom), Civil Service Commission (CSC), or the court, once they are dismissed from the service, all their benefits will be forfeited even if an appeal is ongoing.