Lacson: Marcos was reassigned to Region 12 to get promotion

Senator Panfilo Lacson on Wednesday said Supertinendent Marvin Marcos was reassigned to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Region 12 for him to be promoted to senior superintendent.

“I suspect that he was given that position so that he can be promoted,” Lacson said during the hearing.

Philippine National Police chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa confirmed that the post where Marcos was reassigned was an entry position for senior superintendent.

Lacson said Marcos would be eligible to the promotion in six months, the residency requirement for any position.

“We are looking at Senior Superintendent Marcos six months from now dahil ‘yun ang residency requirement sa isang position,” said Lacson, a former PNP chief.

Senate committees started Wednesday morning the joint hearing on the reassignment of Marcos, one of the suspects in the killing of Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa.

In his opening speech, Lacson expressed concern that the reassignment of Marcos could have an effect on the morale and discipline of the police personnel and may “impact their efficiency and performance.”

National Police Commission vice chairman Rogelio Casurao said the law allows promotion even if there is a pending case to ensure that it will not be used to harass police officers.

In an interview after the hearing, Lacson said he mentioned the possibility to preempt whatever plan Marcos  or other officials have.

“Kaya nga we’re trying to elicit information from General Dela Rosa kung anong magandang gawin sa situation. The reason I mentioned that is really to preempt kung ano man ang pinaplano nila because nasa entry na. Binigyan ng entry point para ma-promote. At least I made them conscious na nakabantay pa rin ang Senate,” he said.

Disqualified from promotion

In a separate interview, Dela Rosa said Marcos would be disqualified from the promotion if the suspension will be meted against him.

“Once na-sanction na sila, kapag ‘yung sanction meted na sa kanya that is a ground for disqualification. We believe that they have done something wrong kaya meron silang sanction,” he said.

“Kapag naimplement ‘yan automatic tatanggalin natin siya sa CIDG 12 so wala na siya sa puwesto, kapag wala na siya sa puwesto he is no longer qualified and eligible for promotion," he added.

He said Marcos was assigned to CIDG Region 12 because it was the vacant post at the time.

“Nung na-back sila sa duty status, tinanong ko ang CIDG kung saan ito pwedeng mailagay, sabi niya bakante yung Region 12. They are not relieved from CIDG, nung narestore sila sa full duty status, they should be back to their mother unit, that is their mother unit, CIDG,” he said. —KG/RSJ, GMA News