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[av_heading heading=’ ODICTA ‘PAL’ AXED Napolcom rebukes ex-PRO-6 intel chief ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=’30’ subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY RUBY P. SILUBRICO
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Monday, October 23, 2017
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ILOILO City – Citing his association with slain suspected drug lord Melvin Odicta Sr., the National Police Commission dismissed from the service Superintendent Ronald Allan Gepana, former chief of the Police Regional Office 6’s (PRO-6) Regional Intelligence Office.
The Napolcom en banc found Gepana guilty of conduct unbecoming of a police officer. The conduct of those in public service “must be above and beyond suspicion,” it stressed.
Gepana was among the 12 police officers in Region 6 that President Rodrigo Duterte linked to illegal drugs in an August speech last year.
Though he admitted knowing Odicta, Gepana said he never received payola from any drug dealer. He had appealed the Napolcom en banc’s decision.
Odicta was shot to death by unidentified gunmen in Malay, Aklan on Aug. 29, 2016 three weeks after Duterte named and shamed police officers and mayors in Iloilo for their alleged ties to illegal drugs.
“Whatever I have right now are all heard-earned money,” said Gepana.
The Napolcom en banc ordered Gepana’s dismissal from the service on July 20, 2017 yet. It was only recently that it was made public.
Napolcom also meted the police official with accessory penalties: cancellation of civil service eligibility, forfeiture of retirement benefits, and disqualification for employment in government service.
“I have never protected a drug pusher,” said Gepana. “Basi may mga facts kag information nga wala lang ma-deliberate further. That’s why we filed a motion for reconsideration. I hope nga ma-reverse ang kaso ko because I’m innocent.”
According to the Napolcom en banc, the police official’s association with Odicta was “seriously affecting the campaign of the government against illegal drugs” and “compromising his character as a public servant…”
As a police official, the “law demands from him to maintain high standards of ethics and morality worthy to be trusted by the general public whom he is pledged to serve,” the Napolcom stressed.
In his counter-affidavit, Gepana admitted knowing Odicta for 16 years, according to Napolcom.
“Respondent admitted that they saw each other on different parties and celebrations of mutual friends as well as dining at the latter’s restaurant,” part of the Napolcom decision read.
The two met in 2000 when one of Gepana’s high school classmates who happened to be Odicta’s neighbor in Barangay Malipayon, Iloilo City introduced the police official to the drug suspect at a birthday party, according to Napolcom, citing Gepana’s own affidavit.
At that time, according to Gepana, he was assigned in Central Mindanao and had no idea of Odicta’s alleged illegal business in Iloilo City.
But according to the Napolcom en banc, it was “quite improbable and amusing” that Gepana, who was handling intelligence operation, “denied knowledge of the drug business of Melvin Odicta.”
As a ranking police officer, according to Napolcom, Gepana should have avoided situations which could link or associate him to suspected drug personalities.
Section 1 (5), Rule 21, Part III of the Napolcom Memorandum Circular No. 2016-002 defined “conduct unbecoming of a police” as any act or behavior of a police officer, irrespective of rank, done in official or private capacity, which disgraces himself as a police officer and seriously compromises his character and standing in the Philippine National Police.
In dismissing Gepana, Napolcom stressed: “…the conduct and behavior of everyone in public service are circumscribed with a heavy burden of responsibility. Their conduct, at all times, must be characterized with propriety and integrity, but above all else, must be above and beyond suspicion.”
The Napolcom decision was signed by Atty. Rogelio Casurao, commissioner / vice chairman and executive officer; and commissioners Felizardo Serapio Jr., Job Mangente, Zenonida Brosas, and Philippine National Police’s Director General Ronald Dela Rosa./PN
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