Lawmakers expressed alarm over the police operations in a Bakwit school at the University of San Carlos in Cebu City.
Deputy Speaker and 1-Pacman Rep. Mikee Romero said in his privilege speech that cops became violent in the said incident.
“There is something remiss in the so-called rescue operation. There are many questions wanting to be asked as clearly. However, one thing evident is that the subject incident led to distress, agony and even trauma to the children,” Rep. Romero raised.
The Makabayan Bloc of the House of Representatives already filed a resolution for the conduct of investigation on the incident. However, the Philippine National Police (PNP) defended that it has not committed any violation.
“With due respect kay Cong. Romero, ‘yung usapin po ng excessive and inhumane treatment, relative po iyon from the point of view of the one looking at how the case is addressed by the authorities (With due respect to Cong. Romero, the excessive and inhumane treatment matter is relative from the point of view of the one looking at how the case is addressed by the authorities),” PNP Spokesperson PBGen. Ildebrandi Usana pointed out.
PBGen. Usana added that the PNP is prepared for the investigation being pushed at the Lower House. Police Regional Office 7 Regional Director PBGen. Ronnie Montejo has also expressed the intent to face lawmakers to explain. He appealed to lawmakers to wait for the result of the investigation before advancing the dismissal of personnel involved in the operation.
The teachers arrested in the operation are facing kidnapping, serious illegal detention, and child abuse charges. The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has been conducting a separate investigation on the incident.
“Given the different claims involving the incident, our interest is to pin down the truth and look forward to the cooperation of all parties concerned as we move forward in our independent investigation,” CHR Spokesperson Jacqueline de Guia said. – Report from Bea Bernardo
