MANILA, Philippines — Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Wednesday, April 27 said that he is ready to face charges allegedly filed against him in connection with the confrontation between protesters and the police in Kidapawan City that led to hostility earlier this month.
Sarmiento made the statement after concerned groups reportedly filed criminal charges against him, Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala, and ranking local, police and military officials before the Office of the Ombudsman in Mindanao.
“As of now, we have not received a copy of the complaint nor have we received an order from the Office of the Ombudsman to comment on or respond to the alleged charges filed against me and other officials,” he said. “However, we stand ready to answer all allegations pertaining to the incident if and when required to do so,” he added.
The DILG Secretary said that based on the reports that he has been given, he believes that government actions are defensible and that officials involved will be able to answer or respond to all allegations hurled against them.
“As for myself, I only became aware of the incident after the fact. I personally had no hand in the order to disperse the protesters,” he said.
Immediately after the incident, DILG Secretary Sarmiento also created two fact-finding panels to look into the circumstances behind the April 1 melee.
Sarmiento also vowed transparency on the results of the probe being undertaken by the Department, as well as full cooperation of the DILG on the Senate investigation, and now the reported Ombudsman investigation. (DILG)
