Cascolan on alleged sexual harassment by cop vs. Nova Parojinog: PNP doesn't tolerate wrongdoings

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Camilo Pancratius Cascolan on Monday warned police officers that illegal and immoral activities would never be tolerated in the police force. 

At a press briefing in Camp Crame, Cascolan was asked for reaction on the criminal complaints filed against PNP Custodial Service Unit chief Police Lieutenant Colonel Jigger Noceda for allegedly sexually harassing detainee Nova Parojinog. 

"We will not tolerate any wrongdoings of our people. As what I've said, kahit na kuwan ka, kung wala kang rason, we will have to arrest you, file cases against you, put you in jail," Cascolan said. 

The cop is facing complaints for alleged violations of the Anti-Rape Law and Acts of Lasciviousness, Safe Spaces Act and Unjust Vexation before the Quezon City Prosecutor's Office after he allegedly harassed Parojinog, who has been detained at the Camp Crame Custodial Center. 

Last week, Cascolan said the Internal Affairs Service would conduct its own investigation on the incident. He added that Parojinog's family is still assessing where it would file administrative complaints against the police official. 

"On the filing of admin cases, the family of Nova is still contemplating whether they would be filing elsewhere or whether with the Ombudsman. But IAS was also directed to actually investigate," Cascolan said. 

Cascolan was also asked for reaction about Noceda's alleged involvement in police brutality in Carmona, Cavite in 2015. The PNP chief said the Personnel Accounting Information System should have checked Noceda's personal files and records before he was assigned to another post. 

Cascolan also said Noceda had faced an administrative case regarding that torture incident. 

"I believe there was a case filed against him during that torture. 'Yung pag-torture na 'yun, parang may admin case na rin siya doon. At the same time, we will see to it that our people will always be following the rule of law and not violating human rights," he said. 

Noceda is presently under restrictive custody of the PNP Headquarters Support Service.

Nova Princess and her brother Reynaldo Jr. were arrested during a 2017 police raid which killed their father, Ozamiz City mayor Reynaldo Parojinog, Sr., his wife, and 13 others. —KG, GMA News