Thus Senior Supt. Keith Ernald Singian, Pampanga police directors, belied the claims of Gov. Eddie T. Panlilio of police ineptness and incompetence in the handling of the so-called ‘capitol siege’ last Monday, January 5.
In a statement Tuesday, Panlilio renewed his call to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Interior Secretary Ronnie Puno and Philippine National Police Director Jesus Verzosa for the relief of Singian, rationalizing that “what happened yesterday (January 5) merely accentuated the marked incompetence of our police force.”
Reading a prepared statement before the media at the Pampanga PNP office yesterday, Singian categorically said “there was no incident of staged violence, commotion or any disturbance committed in said offices or in any of their adjacent rooms and areas inside the capitol building.” He cited unnamed witnesses as having made affidavits to that effect.
News reports said that on Monday while the governor was having a press conference at his office, protesting truckers stormed the capitol and pounded heavily on the doors of governor’s office and that of Provincial Administrator Atty. Vivian Dabu.
But Singian denied the allegations, saying that “the door of the governor’s office as well as the provincial administrator’s office was forcedfully beaten, pounded, banged and kicked open is untrue.”
He added that the rallyists during that time were even escorted by several members of the governor’s own civil security escorts.
Singian stressed that it is “incredulous and absurd to assume” that the life of Panlilio and Dabu were put in imminent danger conflicting with Panlilio’s assertion in his statement that he and Dabu were at that instant in harm’s way.
Singian also clarified that the alleged mauling of the two nephews of Panlilio “was a separate incident” and it was properly handled. He said that police did their role as peacekeepers in a rally.
Singian said the nephews of Panlilio have failed to file charges “up to this time” even as the police have asked them so they can effect the arrest of thos who allegedly beat them.
Off the statement, Singian said of the governor’s call for his relief: “Hinahanapan lang tayo ng butas.”
He said that “it is very clear from the latter statement of latter governor that from the beginning the entire police force of Pampanga did not enjoy his trust and confidence.”
But Singian said he had “respect for the governor and they had a good working relatiionship.”
“Maybe he was just misinformed (on the real incidents),” he added.
