‘BUENA MANO’: New top cop sued while assuming office

By Jennifer P. Rendon

 

Newly installed Western Visayas police chief Brigadier General Rolando Miranda was nonchalant amid criminal and administrative complaints filed by detained human rights activist Reina Mae Nacino.

On Wednesday, Nacino sued Miranda, then Manila Police District director, and 22 other MPD officials over the alleged security overkill during her 3-month old baby’s burial last October.

“How can I be charged with those allegations when I did not do anything?” Miranda said.

Miranda, who formally assumed post as Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) director on the same day the cases were filed, said that he did nothing to Nacino or has anything to do with her concerns.

“Wala naman akong kaalam-alam sa pagkamatay ng anak nya.  Una, namatay ang anak nya wala akong alam. Pangalawa, nung nanghingi sila ng police assistance, binigyan ko sila ng police assistance para maayos na mailibing ang anak nya. May security escort,” he said.

Miranda said it’s not his problem anymore if Nacino would pursue charges against him.

“Hayaan mo sila. Sasagutin ko rin naman yan. Ang pulis, kahit anong gawin, kung gusto kang file-an ng kaso ng kahit na sino, mapa-file-an ka,” he said.

He said that people like Nacino would do everything in an attempt to overthrow the government, undermine the PNP organization, and harass them.

“Hindi naman tayo papayag ng ganun. Hayaan mo lang silang mag file,” he said adding, “gagastos din naman sila eh. Hayaan mo silang gumastos. Haharapin ko kasi wala akong ginawang masama.”

Nacino filed the cases before the Office of the Ombudsman with the help of the National Union of People’s Lawyers.

The string of criminal charges against Miranda and several others include violations of Republic Act 9745 or the Anti-Torture Act, RA 7438 (Rights of Persons Arrested, Detained or Under Custodial Investigation), and RA 10028 (Expanded Breastfeeding Promotion Act).

They were also slapped with cases like grave coercion and maltreatment of prisoner under Articles 286 and 235, respectively, of the Revised Penal Code.

Nacino also wanted the respondents to be held administratively liable for grave misconduct, conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service, oppression and grave abuse of authority.