PNP ready to defend Lee’s arrest

MANILA, Philippines - Deputy Director General Felipe Rojas, Philippine National Police deputy chief for administration (DCA), said the PNP leadership is ready to answer questions related to the controversial arrest of Globe Asiatique president Delfin Lee last March 6.

“We will cross the bridge when we get there (if summoned by the Senate for an investigation on Lee’s arrest). We are not afraid of anything,” Rojas told reporters.

Senior Superintendent Conrado Capa led Task Force Tugis that arrested Lee in front of the Hyatt Hotel in Manila.

Instead of a commendation, Capa was relieved from his post but the police officer openly criticized the PNP leadership under Director General Alan Purisima for assigning him to Cebu as deputy regional director for operations (DRDO).

Capa and Purisima are close friends.

Sen. Grace Poe is reportedly planning to initiate a Senate investigation to shed light on circumstances surrounding the arrest of Lee.

Rojas and Chief Superintendent Jaime Morente, head of the PNP Directorate for Personnel and Records Management, claimed Capa is not qualified to be promoted to chief superintendent or star-rank in the next three months since he failed to complete the period of assignment in his post.

Rojas noted that a policeman aspiring for promotion must go through the process.

“You cannot be promoted to a higher rank just because of an accomplishment. We have to strike a balance between seniority and competency,” he said.

Morente said that after at least three months as the DRDO, Capa could qualify for promotion.

He said Capa has to serve as a deputy director for administration, deputy regional director for operations or chief senior division before he could get promoted.

“Actually the task force is temporary in nature and officers there are not in the table of organization that is approved by the directorate for plans and Napolcom, thus it could not be a basis for promotion,” he added.

Morente added that Capa was serving as deputy director for operations in Metro Manila when he was pulled out for a special task and he accepted it.

“So it is just unfortunate that he did not complete the prescribed period of assignment. He was nine days short of six months required,” Rojas explained.

He maintained Capa’s relief has nothing to do with Lee’s arrest. “Maybe it is just the timing, but this is a completely different thing. There was no connection.”

Another set of complainants filed syndicated estafa charges against Lee at the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Thursday. – With Aie Balagtas See