MANILA, Philippines — ACT-CIS party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo has admitted introducing Police Maj. Gen. Romeo Caramat Jr. to Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Elizaldy Co, however he corroborated the latter’s statements that Caramat’s request for an endorsement was turned down.
Tulfo in an ambush interview on the Batasang Pambansa advanced mentioned he knew Caramat from his broadcasting days, noting that he met the police normal when he was nonetheless a captain.
Co final Thursday denied claims made by Senator Ronald dela Rosa that he and Home of Representatives Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez have been pressuring Caramat to testify in opposition to previous administration officers accused of committing rights violations in the course of the drug battle. Based on Co, Caramat hoped to get a advice to be the subsequent Philippine Nationwide Police (PNP) chief.
Co additionally mentioned that Caramat was solely launched to him by Tulfo.
“That I don’t have data [of], as a result of primary, widespread sense will dictate or will say, that the Speaker doesn’t decide the Chief of PNP. It’s the President — even when the Speaker tells him that this individual is his most popular PNP chief, it’s nonetheless the President who picks. So, [it’s] ineffective,” Tulfo informed reporters.
“Second, I learn that Zaldy Co mentioned that I launched Basic Caramat to him as a result of after I was masking [Camp] Crame, I met Basic Caramat; he was only a Main or Captain again then. So he (Caramat) went to me and mentioned ‘Boss I hope you possibly can assist me, I’m aspiring to grow to be a Chief PNP,’” Tulfo added.
Based on the ACT-CIS lawmaker, he then introduced Caramat to Co, however Co instantly mentioned that it is likely to be not possible because the President will get to resolve on these issues.
“So, I introduced him to Cong. Zaldy, and Cong. Zaldy talked to him in order that he wouldn’t be put to disgrace. However after that, Cong. Zaldy mentioned that that is as much as the President, not with us. So outright, Cong. Zaldy informed him, ‘I can not assist you to.’ Caramat was asking for assist as a result of he had no connections,” Tulfo famous.
Lawmakers imagine talks of Caramat and different former and present PNP officers being pressured are mere gossip, as Co and Nationwide Intelligence Coordinating Company (NICA) Director Basic Ricardo de Leon have individually denied these accusations.
Each Co and de Leon mentioned that they met Caramat, however the discussions have been concerning the police official supposedly hoping to get beneficial as the subsequent PNP chief. In change for the advice, Caramat supposedly vowed to spill what he knew about extrajudicial killings underneath the time period of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
Nonetheless, based on de Leon, Romualdez informed Caramat that appointing a PNP chief can be the prerogative of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., with the Speaker including that he has no affect in these choices.
This was additionally echoed by Co.
READ: Nica chief, Co deny urgent PNP execs to testify in ICC
Tulfo reiterated Co and de Leon’s views, insisting that the Speaker has no say in these issues.
“Relating to the Speaker, it’s not the Speaker — everyone knows that it’s the President who picks the Chief PNP, even within the case of the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines), the Board of Generals makes suggestions to the President,” he mentioned.
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“So, for those who take a look at the equation, the Speaker shouldn’t be a part of those that can decide who will likely be in place,” he added.
