MANILA, Philippines – Nagbabala si National Bureau of Investigation Director Melvin Matibag sa Senado sa pagiging isang kanlungan ng mga pugante, at sinabing maaari nitong mapababa ang tiwala ng publiko sa law enforcement at justice system ng bansa.
Nag-isyu ng babala si Matibg matapos na mawala sa mata ng publiko si Senador Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa sa kabila ng pagsisiguro ng mga senador na siya ay nasa “protective custody.”
“It will send a bad precedent right now that the Senate can be used as a hiding place for fugitives,” sinabi ni Matibag sa news forum nitong Sabado, Mayo 23.
“You took it upon yourself on May 11, when we first went there to effect the arrest, to talk to us,” dagdag pa ni Matibag, na tumutukoy sa usapan sa pagitan ng NBI at ng mga lider ng Senado matapos na hindi makuha ng mga awtoridad ang kustodiya ni Dela Rosa sa loob ng Senado.
“It was a gentleman’s agreement with the Senate President and with the other senators that they were saying he was under the protective custody of the Senate,” dagdag pa niya.
Ani Matibag, taglay ng salitang “protective custody” ang responsibilidad, partikular na kung humihiling ng appearance ng isang taong wanted sa legal proceedings ang mga awtoridad.
“What that means is that if you cannot let us take him, you will be responsible, but when he needs to answer to the law and has to be presented before any agency or court, you will make him available,” aniya.
“If you enter a department store, for example, and leave your bag there, what does that mean? You entrusted that bag to them.”
“If it goes missing, if something happens to that item, who will be held accountable? The one holding that item,” dagdag pa niya.
Nagbabala rin ang opisyal sa mga mambabatas o institusyon na baka makita ito ng publiko na pumuprotekta sa mga pugante, at magpapahina sa respeto para sa rule of law at maghihikayat ng pang-aabuso sa pampublikong opisina.
“I think we need to realize that because I have noticed that there is a breakdown of law and order right now,” sinabi ni Matibag.
“If you plan to become a professional criminal and have the means to be a senator, you will run for senator so that when authorities come to arrest you, you can just stay in the Senate,” dagdag pa niya. RNT/JGC
