Retired PNPA alumni free to back VP following House impeachment
INQUIRER FILES
MANILA, Philippines — Retired Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) alumni have the freedom and right to express their support for Vice President Sara Duterte following the House of Representatives’ impeachment against her, believed PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo, who clarified on Monday.
She likewise revealed that most of the retired members of the PNPA Class 1991 backed Duterte.
“Naconfirm ko ’yan doon sa mga miyembro ng PNPA Class ’91, and the majority of them, except for three active PNP personnel, ay naglabas daw sila, it was just a draft letter of support doon sa mga miyembro ng grupo na ito na naglabas ng support sa ating VP Sara Duterte,” Fajardo said in a press briefing.
(I confirmed that with the members of PNPA Class ’91 and the majority of them, except for three active PNP personnel, said they issued it; it was just a draft letter of support for VP Sara Duterte.)
READ: Sara Duterte impeached; House gets 215 to sign
Article continues after this advertisementShe identified the three active PNP members as Brig. Gen. Reynaldo Tamondong, National Capital Region Police Office deputy director for administration; Brig. Gen. Archival Macala of Region 6; and Col. Ramil Labastida.
Article continues after this advertisement“Nakausap ko ’yung isa sa kanila earlier, and according to him, ay wala naman silang pinirmahan niyan because the stand of their class at grupo but ’yung tatlong active, they will remain apolitical and non-partisan, and hindi nila saklaw yung kaisipan nung ibang miyembro ng klase nila,” Fajardo said.
(I talked to one of them, and according to him, they did not sign because the three active personnel said they would remain political and non-partisan. They do not share the sentiments of the other members of the class.)
In a separate statement, Fajardo specified that the retired alumni of the class, who she said are now private citizens, “are no longer within the PNP chain of command and are free to express their personal views.”
“To be clear, active members of PNPA Class 1991—like all serving officers and personnel of the PNP—remain apolitical, non-partisan, and professional in the fulfillment of their duties,” she said.
“The PNP leadership does not and will never condone political partisanship among its active members. To do so would be against our sworn duty to uphold peace, order, and security for all Filipinos, regardless of political affiliations,” Fajardo added.
“It is also important to note that retired uniformed personnel are no longer bound by the regulations governing active service. They have transitioned to civilian life and, as such, exercise their personal freedoms and opinions as private individuals. They are entitled to their personal views and opinions, which, however, do not represent the PNP, nor the collective stance of the entire PNPA alumni community,” she further said.
Last February 5, the lower chamber confirmed that 215 lawmakers signed the fourth impeachment complaint against Duterte.
The first impeachment complaint against the vice president was crafted by civil society organizations and endorsed by Akbayan party-list Rep. Percival Cendaña on December 2.
Last December 4, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan led 70 representatives of progressive groups in filing the second impeachment complaint against Duterte.
On the other hand, the third complaint was lodged by religious groups and a group of lawyers on December 19.
