FORMER Armed Forces Chief of Staff, Ricardo Visaya, has challenged the leadership of the Philippine National Police (PNP) under P/Gen. Archie Gamboa, to just resign, “if you cannot instil discipline in your organization.”
In a social media post today, Visaya, the first AFP chief appointed by Pres. Duterte, also called on the PNP to “stop covering up for their abusive men.”
Visaya made the emotion-laden post in reaction to the cold blooded murder last Monday, July 29, 2020, of four members of the Philippine Army by members of the Jolo, Sulu Police Office.
Included in his post was one of the videos of the incident that appeared to show some members of the Jolo Police Office just lingering around the bodies of the murdered soldiers and in the process, polluting the crime scene.
”See how the local PNP (Jolo) in the area handled the situation, Many violations were committed at the crime scene,” Visaya said.
In his post, Visaya was also apparently referring to the PNP’s claim that the Monday’s incident was a “misencounter” that implied there was a firefight between the soldiers and the policemen.
But photos and videos that appeared on social media as well as testimonies gathered by the military bared that the four were killed in cold blood by the policemen and “without any provocation.”
The PNP’s description of the incident had already drawn a strong rebuke from Philippine Army commanding general, Lt. Gen. Gilberto Gapay, who on Tuesday described it as a “rubout” and plain “murder.”
Visaya was AFP chief from July to December 2016, having taken from then acting military chief, Glorioso Miranda, who, in turn, succeeded Visaya’s mistah, Hernando DCA Iriberri.
Visaya is a seasoned combat soldier and military officer and had received dozens of military awards and medals for gallantry in action and military leadership.
He had served as 4th Infantry Division commander based in Mindanao and as Southern Luzon area commander (Solcom). He also had a stint in the “Basulta” (Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-tawi) area as army commander.
It is a sign of Pres. Duterte’s trust and confidence on him that on his retirement ceremony, the Chief Executive announced that he would immediately appoint Visaya to head a civilian agency. Visaya is the current administrator of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA).
“There have been ‘habitual violent incidents’ perpetrated by unscrupulous policemen,” Visaya pointed out.
“PNP at Camp Crame should stop covering up (for) their abusive men.
”If you cannot instil discipline in your organization, it’s time for you to go!” Visaya said.