Lacson orders PNP to submit case folders of deaths under investigation

Senator Panfilo Lacson on Thursday ordered the Philippine National Police to submit to the committee on public order and dangerous drugs all the case folders of killings they are investigating.

"Submit to the committee, no matter how many, the file folders of deaths under investigation. Kung ano ang meron kayo i-submit n’yo sa committee," Lacson told PNP officials led by Director General Ronald Dela Rosa during the hearing.

He said that the police organization should submit individual case folders and not just matrices.

The Commission on Human Rights requested the case folders because the matrices sent to them do not answer their questions.

“‘Yung mga hinihingi naming detalye, pero madalas ang binibigay ay matrix o listahan. Ang hiningi namin ay file folder, as an independent constitutional office that is supposed to monitor state abuse, [we] request for the file folders,” said CHR chairman Chito Gascon.

The deaths under investigation increased when the Duterte administration implemented its intensified campaign against illegal drugs.

The senator issued the order after the CHR complained that the PNP was not very cooperative in their investigations into vigilante killing.

During the hearing, Dela Rosa said the CHR should ask for their help but Gascon said what the PNP is saying is very different from its actions.

“Noong nadiskubre namin ang secret detention cell nanawagan kami ng kooperasyon sa police. Nanawagan po ako ng personal na makipagkita kay General Bato, pero hindi po kami hinarap. So mabilis sila magsalita na nakahanda silang tumulong per sa totoo po lang nagdidribol lang po,” said Gascon.

Dela Rosa said he did not receive Gascon’s letter.

“Honestly hindi ko alam yung request nila na makipag-audience sa akin. I’m willing any time of the day, hindi ko lang nakuha yung letter,” he said.

Lacson noted that maybe there was something wrong with Dela Rosa’s communication center.

Earlier, Vice President Leni Robredo said she requested from the PNP the figures on the deaths in drug operations but her office did not receive any reply. Dela Rosa said then that he did not receive the letter request.

Lacson said it would be better if the PNP met with the CHR.

“Maaring ito miscommunication, pero maari nga mag-usap kayo kung talagang sinsero kayong tugunan ang vigilante killings. Tulong din sa imahe n’yo kasi mae-erase ang doubt na may kinalaman kayo,” he said.

Dela Rosa and Gascon agreed to meet on Tuesday, 2 p.m. — BM, GMA News