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Friday, December 13, 2002
Cop faces dismissal over report leak mess
MANILA -- PNP Chief Hermogenes Ebdane has ordered Thursday the relief of the Western Police District (WPD) intelligence officer accused of leaking an unverified report that caused the closure of the Australian and Canadian embassies last month.
Interviewed separately, Interior Secretary Jose Lina Jr. said Supt. George Gaddi was also demoted one rank lower as initial punishment for his blunder.
Not satisfied with Gaddi's relief, Ebdane has recommended to President Arroyo the dismissal from the service of the intelligence officer, who reportedly fed information to two foreign embassies they were being targeted by Islamic extremists.
The PNP chief's recommendation, which is based on the outcome of an investigation on Gaddi, has been forwarded to Executive Secretary Alberto Romulo.
On Wednesday, an angry President Arroyo ordered the police officer brought out and investigated "to find out what his motive is." She also said he should be punished for causing "damage" to the country's image by prompting the embassies to temporarily shut down.
Commenting on the incident, Ebdane said: "It is unfortunate that this happened, as this affects the system of information sharing among countries. We have a standing protocol that must be followed at all times, except in matters of extreme emergency and even when the information is very hot, it must still pass through proper channels," said Ebdane.
He said any police officer who reveals unverified information does not deserve to be in the PNP.
Smarting from Gaddi's blunder, Ebdane directed all police officials to coordinate first with him any information obtained by them concerning national security.
He also asked police officers to brush up on the protocol of information sharing in the PNP, adding he would be issuing new guidelines to improve the system.
"What has been violated is the aspect of procedure and validation. At his level, he has no authority to process raw information," Lina, meanwhile, said of Gaddi's action.
Lina further said Gaddi should expect a heavier penalty than mere relief, citing dismissal from service and possible criminal charges.
He was also concerned why Gaddi, a member of the Western Police force, went beyond his jurisdiction and communicated directly with embassy officials whose offices were in Makati, an area under the command of the Southern Police District.
"Preliminary reports point to his involvement, that's for sure," Lina stressed.
PNP Directorate for Intelligence chief Robert Delfin said there is no way Gaddi's information can be considered credible because it did not pass through validation and authentication.
The release of the information was a clear violation of police protocol, he further said.
Gaddi did not show up anymore at his office in the WPD headquarters. Supt. Rodolfo Llorga, who vowed to avoid the same mistakes committed by his predecessor, replaced him. Jonathan Fernandez |
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