Group eyes probe on law enforcement operations

By Dolly Yasa

 

BACOLOD City – The head of a civil society group here is calling for investigations on alleged evidence planting and illegal law enforcement operations.

Task Force Kasanag (TFK) founder and national commander John Chiong told reporters Tuesday that the TFK Complaint Desk has received complaints of illegal searches, operations, and apprehensions.

TFK is an organization recognized by and with partnership links with the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA), the Office of the President, the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission, and the Philippine National Police (PNP), among others.

Chiong said they received complaints against recent law enforcement operations alleging that these were carried out without either a barangay official, media practitioner, and with other violations.

“Not only once, twice or thrice, but we have been getting complaints about alleged evidence planting, illegal searches, operations and other law enforcement activities that lack necessary requirements to be carried out,” Chiong said.

“I know most of our law enforcement operatives in the agencies like the PNP, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) always abide by the rules. But there are a few bad eggs who are subjects of complaints. We wanted to have them investigated in fairness to the general public and the good ones in the service,” he added.

Chiong said rules dictate that before a certain operation, the presence of barangay officials and the media are needed.

But when the operation has been completed when the media or the barangay official is invited, then that is not right.  Transparency is lacking and it is subject to abuse and doubts, he also added.

“We are not afraid to call for investigating the subjects on certain operations. Violation of rules must not be tolerated.  We have already consolidated the complaints and started drafting our reports to higher authorities.  We are encouraging other victims of such incidents to come out. We will help you.  Barangay officials must also report similar violations,” Chiong said.

Earlier, Chiong said he filed a complaint against several operatives of a law enforcement agency here for releasing a gunrunning suspect who was arrested in a buy-bust operation.

Chiong said that it is questionable why the operatives did not subject the suspect to inquest proceedings when he was caught red handed with illegal firearms and ammunitions.

He said there was enough time for the immediate filing of charges.

Chiong said the operatives released the suspect reportedly after the reglementary period lapsed thus allowing the suspect to buy time and even escape or hide until a warrant of arrest is issued.