DILG probes Kalinga gov’s ‘assault’ on mediaman
Posted on | Monday 13 June 2011 | No Comments
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jesse M. Robredo ordered the Philippine National Police (PNP) to immediately conduct an in-depth investigation and the possible filing of criminal and administrative charges against Kalinga Gov. Jocel Baac and his bodyguards for allegedly attacking a broadcaster inside his radio booth in Tabuk City, Kalinga the other day.
Robredo ordered PNP Chief Dir. Gen.Raul Bacalzo and Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) police director, Chief Supt. Villamor Bumanglag, to initiate the probe and possible filing of charges against the governor and his armed bodyguards.
Robredo said the probe should determine if the attack against victim Jerome Balinag Tabangay, anchor of DZRK Radio ng Bayan station’s program “Agenda ng Bayan, was prompted by the latter’s frequent attacks on the governor’s alleged involvement in jueteng and illegal logging operations in the province.
Reports said that last May 24, some unidentified men tried to burn the DZRK establishment but this was foiled by the PNP assigned as security detail in the area.
The PNP chief and the CAR PNP director, should submit to his office the result of their findings and corresponding recommendations against Baac and his bodyguards within 72 hours, Robredo ordered.
“The acts of the Governor is tantamount to conduct unbecoming of a public official, abuse of power and discretion. He should have been more prudent and patient under such circumstances taking into account that the radio program was live on air. We cannot tolerate such a behavior of a local government official,” he said.
The DILG Secretary assured that "if the result of the investigation will show there is prima facie evidence against Baa and his bodyguards, then appropriate criminal and administrative charges should be filed against him soon,” he added.
On the part of Tabangay, Robredo also tasked the CAR PNP office to provide security detail to the victim and members of his family. (Ogie Salvador/DILG)
Robredo ordered PNP Chief Dir. Gen.Raul Bacalzo and Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) police director, Chief Supt. Villamor Bumanglag, to initiate the probe and possible filing of charges against the governor and his armed bodyguards.
Robredo said the probe should determine if the attack against victim Jerome Balinag Tabangay, anchor of DZRK Radio ng Bayan station’s program “Agenda ng Bayan, was prompted by the latter’s frequent attacks on the governor’s alleged involvement in jueteng and illegal logging operations in the province.
Reports said that last May 24, some unidentified men tried to burn the DZRK establishment but this was foiled by the PNP assigned as security detail in the area.
The PNP chief and the CAR PNP director, should submit to his office the result of their findings and corresponding recommendations against Baac and his bodyguards within 72 hours, Robredo ordered.
“The acts of the Governor is tantamount to conduct unbecoming of a public official, abuse of power and discretion. He should have been more prudent and patient under such circumstances taking into account that the radio program was live on air. We cannot tolerate such a behavior of a local government official,” he said.
The DILG Secretary assured that "if the result of the investigation will show there is prima facie evidence against Baa and his bodyguards, then appropriate criminal and administrative charges should be filed against him soon,” he added.
On the part of Tabangay, Robredo also tasked the CAR PNP office to provide security detail to the victim and members of his family. (Ogie Salvador/DILG)
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Kalinga
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