Gil’s inspection of PNP crime lab to be investigated

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. has ordered a query on whether PNP deputy chief for operations Deputy Director General Virtus Gil committed a grave breach of security when he inspected the evidence room of the PNP Crime Laboratory last week with a television crew in tow.

According to reliable sources at the PNP headquarters, PNP Crime Laboratory director Chief Supt. Restituto Mosqueda had formally written the PNP chief about Gil’s gross violation and breach of security in the safekeeping of evidence.

Gil made the surprise inspection at the height of the debate whether seized illegal drugs, particularly the large quantities of shabu, should be destroyed immediately or laced with poison and returned to the streets.

The sources added that Gil unduly revealed to the public the security measures being implemented at the PNP Crime Laboratory evidence room where large quantities of shabu and marijuana in different containers were kept.

Mosqueda noted that Gil is not the first ranking police officer to inspect the evidence room but apparently failed to inform his superiors about the visit, the sources added.

Gil, however, said that he did not violate any rules during his visit.

"I am the deputy chief for operations and it is part of my job to ensure that all police units are following policies of the PNP. Hindi ko kailangang maging (I don’t need to be the) PNP chief or PDEA to conduct the inspection," Gil told The STAR in an interview.

He said the inspection was conducted on the request of the television crew to assure the public that the PNP is implementing strict measures to avoid theft and recycling of confiscated illegal drugs.

Gil stressed that Mosqueda was apparently ill-advised and misinformed when he called the attention of the PNP chief over the alleged breach of security he committed during the surprise inspection.