Lacson scores PNP for 'brazen lying' on Lozada

As it marked its 17th anniversary Wednesday, the Philippine National Police (PNP) got a tongue-lashing from one of its former chiefs for "brazenly lying" on the abduction of Rodolfo Noel Lozada Jr., a key witness in the $329.5-million broadband deal mess. Sen. Panfilo Lacson scored PNP chief Dir. Gen. Avelino Razon Jr. for claiming it was Lozada who sought "protection" when Lozada's family was clueless about the witness' whereabouts up to Tuesday night. "Masyadong brazen, masyadong garapalan (It's too brazen, too callous), they don't care at all about public opinion. What they have in mind is always survival, survival not of country or stability but of the President. Why the interest in Lozada? It only validates the information that Lozada will certainly bring his testimony right at the doorstep of Malacañang," Lacson said. "Bakit nag-iiyakan ang pamilya kagabi kung humingi ng security before he arrived? Yun lang, lokohan na (Why was the family crying Tuesday night if they were the ones who sought assistance for security? Right there you can see the PNP is lying). You don't need to be a rocket scientist," he added. Lacson added that if Lozada's family indeed sought PNP protection, it would not have announced plans that some of them want to file a habeas corpus case against the PNP before the Supreme Court. He also said the PNP cannot use the argument that it is merely serving a warrant of arrest on Lozada, because it was not furnished a copy by the Senate sergeant-at-arms. Lacson also said that since the warrant is still active, the PNP must turn Lozada over to the Senate. "Sila nagsisimula ng constitutional crisis (They are always starting a constitutional crisis), there's so much disrespect towards the Senate as an institution," he said, apparently referring to the country's Executive branch. On the other hand, Lacson questioned the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA)'s issuance of a pass to the policeman - identified earlier as SPO4 Roger Valeroso - who fetched Lozada at the airport late Tuesday. He said airport authorities usually issue passes only after a thorough record check. "This reminds us of the Aquino-Galman case. Ginamit ang poder ng gobyerno ginamit ang kapangyarihan na walang kahihiyan sa taumbayan, di natin maloloko Pilipino akala nila tao bobo (This reminds us of the Aquino-Galman case. The government used all resources brazenly. They treat Filipinos like fools)," he said. Meanwhile, Lacson said he is seriously considering moving to lift the arrest warrant against Lozada, saying Lozada is already in the country. Message for Neri If he really wants to help Lozada, former socio-economic secretary Romulo Neri should come out and tell the truth on the $329.5-million broadband deal mess, Lacson said. "Dapat si Neri, kaibigan niya ito, malapit sila, nakita niya nadukot na, ano ang hinihintay niya? Dapat sumabay sa pagsabi ng katotohanan because sila nakakaalam sa di lang ZTE NBN kundi ibang projects involving hundreds of millions of dollars and overpricing (Neri claims he is a friend of Lozada. Lozada had been abducted, what is Neri waiting for? He should come out and tell the truth because he and Lozada know much about projects involving millions of dollars worth of overpricing)," he said. - GMANews.TV