PNP: AKG chief Ragay's administrative relief nullified due to Comelec rule

Police Colonel Elmer Ragay has been reinstated as the Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG) acting director after his administrative relief was nullified due to an election period regulation, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Tuesday.

At a press briefing, PNP spokesperson Police Brigadier General Jean Fajardo said the police organization made the decision after a consultation with the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

“Upon consultation sa Comelec, yung pagkaka-administrative relief ni Colonel Elmer Ragay is within doon sa provisions ng Comelec Resolution 11059. Hence, the issuance ng nullification order,” Fajardo said.

The Rule IV Section 9 of the Comelec resolution provides:

“From January 12, 2025 (Sunday) to June 11, 2025 (Wednesday), no public official shall, except upon prior written authority of the Commission, make or cause any transfer or detail whatsoever of any officer or employee in the civil service…personnel of the PNP…”

“The phrase transfer or detail shall be construed in general terms. Any movement of personnel from one station to another, whether or not in the same office or agency, during the election period is covered by the prohibition.”

Ragay was relieved administratively from his post effective February 28 amid the investigation into some issues raised in connection with the reported rescue operation for a Chinese minor who was kidnapped in Taguig City.

‘Rescue operation, no ransom’

Despite the reinstatement of Ragay as AKG chief, Fajardo said that the probe on the ‘rescue operation’ will still proceed.

Asked about reports that the Chinese victim was not rescued and that a $1-million ransom was paid for his release, Fajardo maintained that there was a rescue operation and no ransom was paid.

“If you may recall, no less than our [Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla] ang nagsabi na there was no ransom paid at iniwan lang yung bata na-rescue,” she said.

(If you may recall, it was no less than our Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla who said that there was no ransom paid and the rescued child was left alone.)

“Those words of our SILG will suffice to belie all these rumors. But be that as it may, we are just making sure na wala nga po na-violate any rules or policy yung mga nag-operate po. That's why the Chief PNP ordered for an investigation po,” she added.

(Those words of our SILG will be enough to belie all these rumors. But be that as it may, we are just making sure that those who conducted the operation did not violate any rules or policies. That's why the Chief PNP ordered an investigation.) — RSJ, GMA Integrated News