NAPOLCOM denies singling out Polong

MANILA, Philippines — The National Police Commission (Napolcom) yesterday denied accusations that the Philippine National Police is singling out Davao City Rep. Paolo “Polong” Duterte after the PNP sacked two police officers allegedly moonlighting as security escorts of the lawmaker.

Napolcom vice chairman Rafael Vicente Calinisan said the agency remains apolitical.

“We are not involved in politics. The Napolcom will stay with law enforcement, and supervise and control the PNP, but there will be no politics involved in any part of the investigation,” Calinisan said.

PNP chief Gen. Rommel Marbil said that police Executive M/Sgt. Rexter Millano and S/Sgt. Leonard Pamat should be removed from the PNP for dishonesty, for acting as Duterte’s bodyguards without proper authority.

Calinisan said any decision made by Marbil must still be endorsed to the Napolcom.

“The decision of PNP chief Marbil to dismiss the two police officers will be reviewed by the Napolcom. We just need to trust the process. If General Marbil said he would act on it, so be it. We hope he’ll hasten it as the Napolcom is waiting for his decision,” Calinisan said.

Davao City police chief Col. Hansel Marantan said Millano and Pamat were assigned with the Marilog and Paquibato police stations.

Millano and Pamat’s immediate superiors should be sanctioned too, Marbil said.

Duterte is undergoing investigation for allegedly assaulting a businessman in a bar in Davao City in February.