DAVAO City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte said he does not want to interfere with the probe being conducted against Superintendent Leonardo A. Felonia, pending the result of the investigation.
"He is not a suspect as of this time. But alam ko at alam niya na lumabas ang pangalan niya doon. Whether true or not, give him a chance to explain. I'm waiting for the final result of the investigation," Duterte said in a press conference held at the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) office on Monday.
Felonia also showed up before the NBI office.
When asked about his appearance before the law enforcement agency, he only had a brief answer: "I am here submitting myself for investigation and to look for my own counsel to defend me. That's all."
Rommel dela Cerna, 39, a self-confessed accomplice to the killing businessman Richard King, claimed that in the afternoon of June 12, gunman Paul Dave Molina Labang, received a phone call from a police official, pertaining to Felonia, instructing him to look for the businessman at his office in Barrio Obrero.
Felonia was once the station commander of Sta. Ana Police.
"Let the NBI handle him first. Hayaan muna natin ang NBI. Give us time to investigate. He's not a suspect but pumunta siya sa akin," Duterte said.
He said a police officer informed him that Felonia's name was dragged to the killing of King.
"Sinabi ko sa kanya lumabas ang pangalan mo. I do not want to speculate. He has to be investigated formally. Since he's a police officer, you might want to surrender sa NBI. If you want to clear your mind, submit yourself for an investigation. I am not saying anything. But he has the right to explain what happened," Duterte said.
"I did not ask him anything. It's for him to explain sa NBI if he wants to be investigated. But as a policeman, tama yung ginawa mo. Kung ako rin, gagawin ko yun," he said.
Duterte said he will just wait for the police authorities to complete the story and submit it to him.
"I am not an investigating unit. I am here to govern the city. Col. Felonia is not assigned in DCPO. Hindi siya under sa akin. Kung wala ka talagang kasalanan, have yourself investigated and tell your story. He's entitled to remain silent and avail of a lawyer anytime," he said.