PNP can’t find records related to House ‘break-in’

Records of troop movements and deployment on the days of the alleged break-ins at the House of Representatives compound in Quezon City six years ago could no longer be found, a Philippine National Police (PNP) official said Tuesday. In a letter to the House ad hoc panel investigating the incident, PNP Special Action Force (SAF) Police Director Catalino Cuy said the records were “not kept" since unclassified police records are only maintained for five years. “We regret to inform the honorable committee that despite our diligent effort to locate the documents requested, SAF cannot find these documents," he said in the letter. Cuy assured the panel that his unit is willing to cooperate in investigation on the alleged break-in. “The SAF does not intend to withhold or conceal the documents requested," he said. The ad hoc committee is set to continue its investigation on the incident on Wednesday morning. The inquiry was conducted after Senior Superintendent Rafael Santiago came out three months ago with a detailed account of the alleged switching of election returns in 2005 to ensure the victory of then-President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who ran in the previous year’s elections. Deputy Speaker Lorenzo Tañada III, chairman of the ad hoc panel, said the police records could have helped in the investigation. “The records of troop movements, if made available, can corroborate the sworn statements of Santiago and his boys that they were indeed behind the alleged break-in," he said. — Andreo C. Calonzo/KBK, GMA News