Rep. Julio Ledesma IV (Neg. Occ., 1st District) yesterday slammed Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo for “conflicting statements” made before members of the House of Representatives on a resolution issued by the National Police Commission suspending the police powers of Escalante Mayor Melecio Yap Jr.

The National Police Commission headed by Robredo, in a resolution dated July 15 suspended the administrative and operational control of Yap over the Escalante police station, citing numerous extra-judicial killings in the city, and his alleged close association with the New People’s Army.

Yap, who denied the allegations against him, said he had not been formally informed of the complaints, and was never given time to defend himself.

Ledesma yesterday said it was stated in the July 21 Napolcom resolution suspending Yap’s police powers that, despite several attempts to get his comments, the commission did not receive any recommendation from him on the mayor’s case.

Yet when questioned by Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares at a House hearing on the budget, Robredo said he had discussions with me, and admitted that I did not agree with the action they were to take against Yap, Ledesma added.

Ledesma thanked Colmenares for questioning the suspension of Yap at the budget hearing.

“I thank you for bringing to fore the sordid, absurd and utterly bogus findings,” he told Colmenares.

He said the report of Chief Supt. Cipriano Querol, Western Visayas regional police director, on Yap that was used as the basis for suspending his police powers was unsubstantiated.

“I find it deplorable in extremis the secretary’s assertion of ‘a process’ they followed. I declare unequivocally and categorically – there was no process”.

Robredo failed to support the propriety and validity of the suspension order with factual, relevant and validated proof, Ledesma said.

The Napolcom commissioners headed by Robredo are culpable of grave abuse of discretion and authority, the solon added.

“The secretary, in addition, is certainly culpable of issuing a disparaging statement against my person and office,” he added.

“I am prepared and will see this through to its logical conclusion and closure. I consider these acts an affront to me, the people I represent, and to House of Representatives,” he added.

In an August 23 transcript on a House Committee on Appropriations hearing where Colmenares grills Robredo on the suspension of Yap’s police powers, the secretary said it’s more than what’s written in the report.

“In fact Yap sought an audience with me and told me that he’d rather that he didn’t have control over the police force in his city anymore,” Robredo said.

Robredo said concerns over the situation in Escalante were raised by the bishop and some non-government organizations in the area.

“So we did, we followed the process, NAPOLCOM has a process for the withdrawal of the deputation on the mayor over his authority over the police. The governor was consulted. While Congressman Ledesma do (sic) not agree with this. We had discussions with him as well,” Robredo is quoted as saying in the transcript.

Ledesma did not agree with the recommendation but the governor consented that they withdraw the deputation temporarily, Robredo said at the hearing.

When Colmenares asked if Querol was able to provide evidence against Yap, Robredo said, “Not the hard evidence that you’re probably looking for. But in terms of the possible danger on the lives of people who are involved in the peace and order situation in the area, it was deemed prudent in as much as he (Yap) even agreed that temporarily it be withdrawn from him,” Robredo said.

Robredo told Colmenares they could provide him with the full details of the background of the matter.

“This is really an offshoot of a visit to Bacolod wherein the President met with the bishops and some members of non-government organizations,” Robredo added.*CPG

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