Police exec accused of molesting reporter takes leave of absence

The former police chief of Rodriguez, Rizal, who was accused of sexually molesting a female reporter inside a nightclub last Sept. 30, has filed an indefinite leave of absence.

Chief Inspector Marion Sapla did not assume his new post as chief of the Angono police and instead decided to take a leave of absence because of the charges filed by Liza Llanes, a Camp Crame reporter of Radio Veritas, against him.

Senior Superintendent Freddie Panen, Rizal police director, said Sapla promised to make himself available to the Internal Affairs Service (IAS) where Llanes filed her formal complaint last Oct. 3.

"He (Sapla) strongly denied the accusations against him. But because of the shame he suffered, he decided to file an indefinite leave of absence so as not to influence the investigation," he said.

Sapla was slated to take over as the new Angono police chief last Oct. 4. Senior Inspector Manuel Martinez was instead appointed to the post.

Panen said the case had nothing to do with Sapla’s relief as Rodriguez police chief.

Sapla and Llanes met at the Cloud 9 resort in Antipolo City last Sept. 30 during a fellowship for reporters hosted by Panen and Chief Superintendent Jesus Versoza, Calabarzon police director.

After the party, Sapla allegedly invited Llanes to join him in a nightclub along Quezon Avenue in Quezon City, where the alleged sexual molestation happened.

"I strongly deny such accusations against me by the subject person and PO1 Ricmar Ty, my security detail at the time, can attest to this," said Sapla in his Oct. 3 letter to Panen.

Panen said he would wait for the IAS resolution before taking any action against Sapla.