KIKO PANGILINAN TO VERSOZA: PROTECT YOUR INSTITUTION, SACK MABANAG AND OTHERS WHO ORDERED THE ARREST

"Why relieve only the rank and file policemen? The police officials who ordered the illegal arrest are equally, if not more, guilty than their subordinates," Independent senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan said yesterday.

Pangilinan made the statement after the NCRPO relieved policemen involved in the arrest of relatives of news anchor Ted Failon. The police have been heavily criticized by different sectors by the manner in which the Failon investigation is being handled.

"Those who ordered the arrest at the hospital revealed their heartlessness and total disregard for the grief and suffering of the family. They are a disgrace to the PNP and do not deserve to hold on their posts any minute longer."

Pangilinan was particularly enraged with police senior superintendent Frank Mabanag, chief of the Quezon City Police District Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit.

"Why wasn't Mabanag relieved together with his men? He was there caught on camera overseeing the arrest in the hospital. He ordered his men to effect the arrest. He, too, should be relieved. Is the PNP coddling its own? Based on the video footage, there are enough bases for Mabanag to be relieved. Versoza and Rosales should step up and effect the immediate sacking of Mabanag. Ang kaya lang ba ng PNP e yung mga maliliit nilang mga tauhan at di na kayang disiplinahin ang mga mataas na opisyal?"

Pangilinan adds that the PNP should step in and salvage the reputation and image of the entire police force by having officials who ordered the arrest relieved as well.

"Lalo lang nila ginagalit ang mamamayan kung ang mga nagpakana ng insidente sa hanay ng mga opisyal ay pinalusot nila. Lahat dapat managot. The police officials are the masterminds in this illegal and abusive order of arrest. Punishing the small fry while the bigwigs get away with it is totally unacceptable. Command responsibility requires that those who ordered the arrest be relieved as well. The PNP as an institution can be truly effective only if it continues to enjoy the trust and confidence of the people. They should all be fired for the sake of protecting and preserving the PNP."