As soon as we were informed of a letter requesting a court of Calbayog City to identify the names of the lawyers representing personalities identified with the CPP-NPA-NDF, I immediately ordered a thorough investigation to determine all the circumstances that prompted Police Lieutenant Fernando G Calabria, Jr. to do so.
And based on the initial result of the investigation, what PLt Calabria did was part of his effort to come up with a comprehensive report on the communist insurgency situation in his area of responsibility, which is Calbayog City. The pressure of crafting a detailed report apparently took a toll on him and eventually prompted him to commit a serious breach of policy.
In view of these initial findings and in consultation with our Chief PNP, Police General Debold M Sinas, I have already directed the relief of PLt Calabria as the Chief of the Intelligence Unit of the Calbayog City Police Station.
We are currently checking if there were similar actions in other areas. At the same time, we are investigating to determine up to what level of police hierarchy is involved in this incident.
What is certain at this point is that the PNP top brass did not issue any order pertaining to that, and will never tolerate such unprofessional method of information-gathering.
We fully understand the sentiments of the members of the legal community and for this, I, on behalf of the men and women of the Philippine National Police, sincerely apologize for this reckless behavior.
Our apology comes with an assurance to the judiciary and the members of the legal community that it is not and will never be the policy of the Philippine National Police to run after or even inflict harm on lawyers and members of the judiciary while performing their sworn duty.
As both pillars of the Philippine justice system, the PNP and the judiciary have been in good working relationship to defend democracy and maintain peace and order in the country. We intend to keep it that way.
The unfortunate incident involving PLt Calabria, however, will not in any way affect the PNP’s full support and commitment in achieving our common interest of putting an end to communist insurgency problem which has been pestering the country for more than five decades now and which continues to result in the loss of lives, property and likewise missed opportunity for peace and development in the countryside.
While we in the PNP remain steadfast in the campaign against communist insurgency, we will not condone any irresponsible and unprofessional act of any of our men in accomplishing that goal.
