House Deputy Majority Leader Erwin Tulfo on Monday moved to cite in contempt two high ranking police officers for allegedly lying before legislators when asked to testify on the alleged unlawful arrest, arbitrary detention, and robbery of four Chinese nationals in Parañaque City in September 2023.
At the the continuation of the House committee on public order and safety on the subject, Tulfo, nominee of ACT-CIS party-list group, moved to detain Police General Roderick Mariano, former Director of the PNP-Southern Police District (SPD) and Police Colonel Charlie Cabradilla, former comptroller head of SPD for their failure to provide truthful testimonies before legislators, and alleged disrespect.
Tulfo, in particular, said that Mariano was a “disgrace” to the National Police.
The two were the immediate superiors of the police officers involved in the case.
“Gen. Mariano, I think you are a disgrace to the Philippine National Police (PNP), especially to the officers corps, especially to the high ranking officers of what you did. Obvious na obvious po na nagsisinungaling ka. Obvious na obvious po na pinagtatakpan ka. Obvious po na pinipili ng mga tao mo sa ilalim, ayaw ka ituro,” Tulfo said during his interpellation.
(It’s obvious that you’re lying. It’s obvious that you are hiding something. It’s obvious you are subordinates try to cover up for you)
Last Thursday, Tulfo facilitated the surrender of the driver-bodyguard of four Chinese nationals who were allegedly abducted, arbitrarily detained, and robbed by alleged erring police officers.
The suspect, Michael Novecio, opted to surrender to Tulfo, at the House. Novecio disclosed he was used as an informant of the SPD cops involved in the crime. At present he has nowhere to turn to and is “fearing for his life.”
After receiving feelers from Novecio, Tulfo coordinated with Rep. Dan Fernandez of Sta. Rosa City, chair of the House public order and safety committee.
During Monday’s hearing, Tulfo said the testimonies of the two police officers appeared to be an insult to the House and its members.
After several debates from several other lawmakers including Fernandez, Antipolo Rep. Romeo Acop, 1-Rider partylist Rep. Bonifacio Bosita and Abang Lingkod partylist Rep, Joseph Stephen Paduano, the motion of Tulfo was approved.
Paduano then suggested that the two police officers be detained in Congress for 30 days.
Tulfo manifested that the detention of the six other police officers whom he also earlier cited in contempt, be extended for another 15 days for again refusing to tell the truth before the congressional hearing.
“It would be unfair if we are putting Gen. Mariano and Col. Cabradilla on a 30-day arrest while the others are 15 days lang e sila yung mga number one na sinungaling. Unfair naman po yun. Kita namang harap-harapan ang pagsisinungaling nila. Why are we only giving them two weeks? Might as well give them another two weeks,” Tulfo said in his motion.
(It would be unfair if we are putting Gen. Mariano and Col. Cabradilla on a 30-day arrest while the others are only 15 days, they are the number one liars. That’s unfair. We see straight in the eye that they are lying. Why are we only giving them two weeks? Might as well give them another two weeks.)
Fernandez carried Tulfo’s motion extending the detention of six other police officers.
“The motion is approved. These six PNP personnel will be extending their stay here until such time they consider their statement in this committee,” Fernandez said in his decision.
In the spirit of fairness, Paduano reminded the police officers detained in Congress that they can file a motion to question their detention. “That is your right,” the lawmaker said.
Last week, Rep. Tulfo also cited in contempt six police officers, for what Tulfo termed as “perennial lying” in the congressional hearing. They were namely Police Lieutenant Colonel Jolet Guevara, Police Major Jason Quijana, Police Major John Patrick Magsalos, PSSG Roy G. Pioquinto, Police Senior Sergeant Mark Democrito, Police Senior Sergeant Danilo Desder.