NCRPO chief Eleazar: PNP has zero tolerance for rape

Raping children of drug suspects is not the norm among the ranks of the Philippine National Police (PNP), National Capital Region Police Office head Director Guillermo Eleazar said Monday.

Eleazar made the clarification after news footage showed him berating PO1 Edgar Valencia for committing rape against a 15-year-old daughter of drug suspects in exchange of setting the victims' parents free.

In the same video, Valencia was heard saying “di na ito bago sa mga operatiba”.

“'Di narinig ang buong audio. Ang sinasabi niya, 'di na bago itong mga nagkacounter charge [sa pulis] na mga [nahuling] suspects. Ang sinasabi niya, nagka-counter charge itong mga drug suspects. Pero palusot 'yun, nagsisinungaling siya. Kasi dinala niya sa motel itong biktima, at lahat ng ebidensiyang hawak natin, pati na rin 'yung examination na isinagawa ng competent physician sa victim ay nagpapatunay na talagang may laceration sa kanyang [reproductive] organ [ang biktima],” Eleazar said in an interview on GMA News TV's Balitanghali.

“Hindi niya sinasabi na normal ang panghahalay sa [aming mga taga PNP]. No. Ang normal ay iyong pagkacounter-charge [sa mga pulis],” Eleazar added.

Eleazar then stressed that the police have zero tolerance on rapists and similar crimes.

“Kaya nga 'yung station commander na si Superintendent Andrew Aguirre nagsagawa agad ng manhunt operation, at naaresto agad itong suspek,” Eleazar added.

Valencia has since been detained in Station 4 of the Manila Police District and is facing charges of rape, grave misconduct and dismissal from service.

Valencia's victim, on the other hand, remains under custody of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Meanwhile, Commissioner Gwen Gana of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR)said the CHR already deployed its team to assist the victim and the family in pursuing charges against the Valencia.

Gana has also offered temporary custody of the victim and giving her psycho-social assistance to help her deal with her trauma.

“The victim needs to know that we can give her a safe space where she can freely testify against the officer of the law who abused her,” Gana added also in an interview over Balitanghali. — Llanesca T. Panti/RSJ, GMA News