By Jennifer P. Rendon
After eight years of suffering in silence, several former police officials who were assigned to Western Visayas, publicly recounted their ordeal, claiming unjust treatment and persecution following their inclusion in then-President Rodrigo Duterte’s controversial list of alleged drug protectors.
During the 12th public hearing of the House Quad Committee on Wednesday, Nov. 27, former Police Lieutenant Colonel Ronald Allan Gepana shared how their careers and lives were upended after Duterte publicly accused them of involvement in illegal drug activities on Aug. 7, 2016.
Gepana, the former chief of the Regional Intelligence Unit (RIU) 6, spoke on behalf of other former police officials, including ex-Lieutenant Colonels Noel Lamsis, Roderick Condag, Richard Gomboc, and Ipil Dueñas, as well as former Majors Vicente Vicente, Rio Maymay, and Kenneth Militar.
Condag and Gomboc, members of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) Class 1998, have since been reinstated following favorable rulings on their appeals.
Retired Brigadier General Bernardo Diaz, the former Police Regional Office (PRO) 6 director, also attended the hearing.
For those dismissed, a plea was made to expedite the resolution of their cases before the Civil Service Commission.
A Public Humiliation
Gepana expressed gratitude to the committee for allowing them to share their side of the story. He recounted how, a day after Duterte’s announcement, they reported to the PNP National Headquarters in Camp Crame, only to be humiliated by then-PNP Chief Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa on national television.
“We were instantly berated and humiliated in front of the public without being given a chance to explain. In the court of public opinion, we were already deemed guilty. Our reputations were tarnished without due process,” Gepana said.
He claimed the so-called PRRD list used to implicate them was flawed and unverified, citing that one listed individual was already deceased, while others had incomplete or misspelled names. Some officers were also misidentified in their roles or ranks.
A Flawed Investigation
Despite reporting to the PNP Internal Affairs Service, Gepana said no initial charges were filed. Instead, they received a memorandum from the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) Region 6, which lacked specific allegations and merely asked them to explain why their names were included in the PRRD list.
“This was a classic fishing expedition. True enough, our comments were later used to file cases against us for incompetence, gross neglect of duty, and conduct unbecoming of a police officer,” Gepana said.
Some officers were reassigned to far-flung regions or placed on floating status. Eventually, NAPOLCOM Region 6 filed dismissal cases against them, although Gepana argued jurisdiction should have rested with NAPOLCOM’s central office.
In 2021, they received the NAPOLCOM en banc decision affirming their dismissal. However, Gepana claimed they were never provided with a detailed explanation of why their motions for reconsideration were denied.
“We suspect external pressure influenced our dismissal. Even NAPOLCOM officials admitted they had no basis for our removal but were compelled by instructions from higher-ups,” he said.
A Lasting Stigma
For the past eight years, the dismissed officers have struggled emotionally, financially, and mentally. Gepana said their families also suffered, enduring anxiety, bullying, and societal judgment.
“Our names remain tainted as drug protectors. Videos of us being humiliated by the former PNP chief are still accessible online, a constant reminder of the injustice done to us,” Gepana said.
He noted that commendations and awards received during their service now mean nothing, as their reputations have been irreparably damaged.
A Plea for Justice and Reform
In his statement, Gepana called for justice and systemic reforms to prevent similar injustices.
“The fight for justice continues, not just for us but for our families and the communities we served,” he concluded.
The House Quad Committee continues to investigate the implications of Duterte’s drug war, including the controversial PRRD list and its impact on law enforcement officers.
