Bato mayor wants police captain to be replaced over comments on Tarlac slays
Mayor Juan Rodulfo of Bato, Catanduanes is asking the Philippine National Police (PNP) to replace their town's police chief after Chief of Police Ariel Buraga's comments on the recent Tarlac mother-and-son slay.
In a letter addressed to the PNP obtained by Radio Natin Virac, Rodulfo wrote that he finds it "disturbing" that Captain Buraga thinks "that the slain mother was at fault because she did not give due respect to the policeman prompting him to shoot her fatally."
Rodulfo also added that while he respects his opinion, Buraga should have "exercised restraint and prudence" and have left the investigation to PNP.
He requests that the PNP assign a new police chief to mitigate the fears of the town's constituents over Buraga's bias for his fellow policemen.
Meanwhile, Buraga says otherwise. "Kino-condemn ko ho yung ginawa ng pulis na pagpatay."
In another video posted by Radio Natin Virac, Buraga clarifies his viral Facebook comment. "Wala naman akong masamang ibig sabihin dito," he said. "Hindi ko sinasabi na.. o kinakampihan na tama yung ginawa ng pulis. Mali yung ginawa ng pulis doon sa pag patay. Maling mali talaga 'yon."
He clarified that hopefully, even though someone is of age, they should still have respect over the police. "Kasi yan na yung nawawala sa atin ngayon. Yung pag respeto sa ating kapulisan."
With regard to his comment: "Mahirap kalaban yung pagtitimpi at pasensya," Buraga says it's a fact. "Kahit sino pong mabait na tao at talagang pag nati-trigger talaga, nawawala talaga yung sarili nya sa pagtitimpi at pagpapasensya."
"Hindi ko ho akalain na tatanggapin nyo ng negative ito ng social media."
When asked what he can say about the negative comments toward his post, Buraga says netizens have their rights. "Ang mga tao hindi mo talaga ma-pe-please yan. Kung anong comment nila sa aking pinost, karapatan na nila 'yon at sariling opinyon din ho nila 'yon."
"Tatanggapin ko kung ano yung mga pinost nila kasi ako naman din ang nag post nito eh," he added.