ILOILO City – Seeking an independent effort to determine police accountability, the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) Regional Office 6 has launched its own motu proprio administrative investigation into the controversial July 1 implementation of a warrant of arrest involving the Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group (IMEG) Visayas Field Unit of the Philippine National Police (PNP).
The commission said it dispatched a Monitoring and Investigation Team to conduct validation and fact-finding in accordance with its constitutional and statutory mandate to uphold police accountability and integrity.
It also consolidated an anonymous complaint related to the incident to ensure what it described as a comprehensive, impartial, and expeditious investigation.
“This administrative investigation is independent of and separate from any investigation being conducted by the Philippine National Police or any other government agency,” NAPOLCOM-6 said. “(We) remains committed to ensuring that all allegations are investigated fairly, objectively, and in accordance with due process and the rule of law.”
The commission said the investigation remains ongoing and that updates will be released at the appropriate time, consistent with due process and the integrity of the proceedings.
The Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) expressed full support for the NAPOLCOM probe, saying it recognizes the commission’s role in ensuring accountability and preserving the integrity of the police service.
“We will provide all necessary assistance to facilitate its investigation,” said Police Brigadier General Randulf Tuaño, regional director of PRO-6.
Tuaño stressed that allegations involving police personnel should be addressed through proper legal and administrative channels.
“We are confident that the investigation will establish the facts and determine any accountability based on the evidence gathered and with full respect for due process,” he added.
The regional police chief said PRO-6’s own internal investigation and operational review, which began shortly after the incident, are also continuing to determine whether administrative or operational lapses were committed by the personnel involved.
“These internal proceedings are intended to determine whether administrative or operational lapses occurred and to ensure that appropriate action is taken whenever warranted by the evidence,” Tuaño said.
He appealed to the public to allow the independent investigation to proceed without interference.
“We remain committed to professional, accountable, and transparent police service. We ask the public to allow the investigation to proceed independently and objectively and to give the proper authorities the opportunity to complete their work. We will respect the outcome of the investigation and take appropriate action based on its findings, consistent with the law, due process, and the standards expected of every police officer,” Tuaño added./PN
