PNP apologizes over 2 Iloilo cops' tirade vs Ombudsman

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday apologized to the Office of the Ombudsman for the statements made by two Iloilo cops against the anti-corruption agency.

In a press conference, PNP chief Dionardo Carlos said the statements were just personal opinion of Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Pinuela and Captain Charlie Sustento.

“As hepe po ng pambansang pulisya, humihingi rin po ako ng paumanhin sa atin pong Ombudsman, buong hanay po na kasapi ng Ombudsman sa nangyaring ito,” he said.

(As the chief of the National Police, I am apologizing to our Ombudsman and the entire office for this incident.)

Sustento has also apologized for his statement. He clarified that he was not criticizing the Ombudsman as a whole, saying he only wanted to clear the suspension order imposed by the office against his colleague Pinuela.

“I would like to apologize to the Office of the Ombudsman and to Honorable Justice Samuel Martires for my emotional outburst last January 20, 2022 during the media interview in iloilo City,” he said

“It was never my intention to tarnish the Ombudsman as an institution,” he added.

He further said Pinuela was suspended for six months over accosting a civilian at a checkpoint in Iloilo during the 2019 election period.

Sustento has been reinstated recently after being dismissed in 2017.—AOL, GMA News