NAPOLCOM: HPG chief faces admin raps over alleged sexual harassment

A senior official in the Philippine National Police (PNP) is facing an administrative complaint for alleged sexual harassment filed before the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM).

In a statement on Wednesday, NAPOLCOM identified the implicated police official as the newly installed Highway Patrol Group (HPG) chief Police Brigadier General Jessie Tamayao.

A female member of the HPG filed a five-page sworn complaint against Tamayao before the NAPOLCOM's Inspection, Monitoring and Investigation Service (IMIS).

In a statement, Tamayao denied the allegations and vowed to cooperate in the investigation to clear his name.

"I want to state, in the clearest and most categorical terms, that I am innocent of these charges. I have always conducted myself with the utmost professionalism and respect for my colleagues and the public I serve," he said.

"I firmly deny the allegations. I can only deduce this is a personal vendetta the reason of which I am not aware," he added.

For a fair and impartial probe into the matter, Tamayao said he has decided to step down as the acting director of the HPG. He clarified, however, that this move was not an admission of guilt.

"To ensure a completely impartial, fair, and transparent conduct of the investigation, I have decided to voluntarily step down from my position as Acting Director of the PNP HPG, effective immediately," he said.

"My decision to resign is not an admission of guilt, but a demonstration of my commitment to due process and the institutional reputation of the Philippine National Police," he added.

The complainant is seeking Tamayao's dismissal from service for alleged violations of the Anti-Sexual Harassment Act of 1995 and the Data Privacy Act of 2012, the NAPOLCOM said.

She alleged that Tamayao invited her to engage in sexual activity and at one point touched her buttocks, according to NAPOLCOM.

The complainant also claimed that the official's actions were accompanied by intimidation and threats, including a possible reassignment to Mindanao if she rejected his advances, the NAPOLCOM said.

Aside from this, the policewoman also accused the general of accessing her cellphone without consent, reading her private messages, and taking photos of conversations and images from her gallery, Messenger, and Viber accounts.

She further alleged that Tamayao threatened to use the information against her should she report the incident to former HPG director Police Brigadier General Hansel Marantan. — VDV, GMA Integrated News