PNP, airport officials asked to show cause for no-show at Senate

MANILA, Philippines – Senate President Manuel Villar Jr. asked police and airport officials yesterday to answer a “show-cause order” on why they should not be cited for contempt for ignoring the subpoena of the Senate to attend the hearing on the botched national broadband network (NBN) deal with the ZTE Corp. and on the alleged abduction of witness Rodolfo Lozada Jr. upon his arrival from Hong Kong on Feb. 5.

Those who again did not attend the Senate probe even after subpoenas were issued last week were Philippine National Police chief Director General Avelino Razon Jr., Chief Superintendent Romeo Hilomen of the Police Security and Protection Office and his deputy, Senior Superintendent Paul Mascariñas, and Chief Superintendent Atiliano Morada of the Aviation Security Group (ASG).

“I would like to propose that we cite for contempt those who disregarded the subpoena of the Senate,” Villar said during the resumption of the Senate hearing on the alleged abduction of Lozada. But Majority Leader Francis Pangilinan proposed that the police and airport officials be made first to show cause why they should not be cited in contempt.

“After which, if the explanation is unacceptable then we (cite them in) contempt,” Pangilinan said.

Administration Sen. Joker Arroyo agreed with Pangilinan on the need to lay down the groundwork before the Senate orders the warrants of arrest against the policemen.

Blue Ribbon committee chairman Alan Peter Cayetano said he will discuss with committee members about the show cause order.

Prior to this, Sen. Rodolfo Biazon, co-chairman of the Senate panel investigating the NBN scandal, expressed concern over the non-appearance of the invited resource persons, who only sent a letter to the Senate.

“Instead of a response to our invitations and subpoena, Santos, Santos and Santos law offices gave us a letter,” Biazon said.

Biazon then read the letter of the police officials sent through their lawyers which reiterated the position they submitted in last week’s hearing to again explain their absence.

“With due respect, we reiterate our position that this Senate inquiry is not being conducted in aid of legislation and violates our clients’ constitutional rights against self incrimination and rights not to be witnesses against ourselves,” the letter read.

The police officials’ legal counsels said the alleged abduction is now being heard in the proper venue.

Last Friday, Lozada filed kidnapping and attempted murder charges against government and police officials who allegedly ordered his abduction at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Feb. 5. The respondents are Environment Secretary Lito Atienza and former Brig. Gen. Angel Atutubo.

Other officials included in the charge sheet are Senior Superintendent Paul Mascariñas and Rodolfo Valeroso, the mysterious “policeman” who allegedly fetched Lozada from the airport.

Among those who have been summoned but failed to attend the hearing were PNP Aviation Security Group (ASG) Chief Supt. Atiliano Morada, Police Security and Protection Office (PSPO) Chief Supt. Romeo Hilomen, ASG civilian “consultant” Rodolfo Valeroso, SPO2 Glicerio Gallinera, SPO2 Jaime Halog, Chief Insp. Julio Gorospe, SPO1 Igmedio Suela, PO2 Randy Aquino, PO1 Mauro Lim Jr, PO1 Julio Ponta-oy, SPO3 Lou Ochea, Sr. Supt. Paul Pueblos Mascariñas, SPO2 Nelson Malto, SPO1 Jose Batotoc, and PO1 William Quilalan.