Palace says police official had served his suspension, is eligible to return to police force
(Eagle News) — The Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs will open an inquiry into Marvin Marcos’ reinstatement into the police force, even as the Palace explained that the police official who led a raiding team against drug suspects in 2016, but who were killed during the operation, was already eligible to be reinstated.
According to Senator Panfilo Lacson, committee chair, this will take place in the first week upon the resumption of session.
Congress’ second regular session will resume on July 24, the same day President Rodrigo Duterte is slated to give his State of the Nation Address.
Lacson had earlier denounced the reinstatement of Marcos, who has been charged over the 2016 killing of then-Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr. and inmate Raul Yap in a Leyte jail where they were detained on drug-related charges.
Espinosa is also the father of known druglord Kerwin Espinosa.
Marcos and the eighteen others who were part of the team that served a search warrant in the Leyte jail had argued the two inmates, who were in possession of illegal drugs and firearms, had shot them.
Richard Gordon, chair of the Senate committee on justice, said the President only wasted his political capital when he supposedly intervened and ordered the reinstatement of Marcos.
Gordon also chastised the President’s men, saying they should have advised the chief executive against ordering the reinstatement.
Eligible
But the Palace stood by Duterte’s order, saying Marcos was already “eligible to be back to duty” as he had already served his suspension.
“The President respects and abides by the rule of law,” Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said.
Abella also noted that the administrative cases against Marcos and his team had already been resolved in their favor.
“We leave the matter to the Philippine National Police – Internal Affairs Service to explain its decision,” he said, noting that this could still be appealed before the National Police Commission.
In a speech early this week, Duterte said he wanted Marcos reinstated, noting that he would “never ever” allow any member of the government security force to go to jail for “doing his job and obeying his order.”
He noted that Marcos was not present in the raid.
“Sabi may kaso. And so? Yung criminal, may presumption of innocence, ang government (worker) hindi. Why is that stupid rationale (there) e. E wala sir, buhayin mo because of presumption of innocence. Pagdating ng tagagovernment, p***** i**, kung ano ano nalang pagsasabi ninyo. (Dapat) tabla,” he had said.
