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DATE : 5 May 1999

By their headlines major newspapers indicated their latest sentiments on the current controversy that pitted the C,PNP against the PAOCTF chief. Looking at the President’s reaction to the PAOCTF chief’s vow to resign once the C,PNP is cleared of the charges leveled against him, the Inquirer saw it as a rebuke of the task force chief. So did The Philippine Star, The Manila Times and Today. Today went further by coming out with an editorial branding the task force chief a "spoiled brat."

As expected by those who have been closely following the controversy, the Journal group maintained its focus on the charges against the C,PNP by headlining the start of the probe by the Office of the Ombudsman. They nevertheless sub-headlined the finding that there is no strong and convincing evidence yet to warrant the preventive suspension of the C,PNP. Tempo for its part opted to banner this particular finding by declaring, "LASTI STAYS," in bold capital letters. Malaya’s headline for its part opted to give importance to the recorded telephone conversation with the C,PNP that C Supt Rey Acop admitted to have made. The reports quoted lawmakers who emphasized that such an evidence is inadmissible in court. It was getting clear to keen observers that the accusers of the C,PNP were probably banking on a Presidential action when the derogatory report was submitted to him. The more critical mediamen think that considering the gravity of the charges against the C,PNP the case should have been categorized as national security matter meriting a close-door executive session chaired by no less than the President himself. That is why when the President passed the case to the Ombudsman many thought the case became an ordinary one that will just simply have to pass through the regular judicial process where hard evidence and the rule of court matter most than anything else.

Someone from the media, Dona Policar of Manila Times, saw it as a turf war waged in the press and asked if the media coverage of the Lacson vs. Lastimoso story is part of the story itself. Replying to the question of whether they may have been used as unwitting tools by competing police factions, reporters admitted that it was possible but felt it was simply their job to exploit whatever information is leaked to them especially when they see it as "a big and legitimate story." Gerry de Belen of Malaya said it is the duty of the media to let the public and the higher authorities know of the issues involved and added, "Who will police the police kung wala tayo?" Fernan Marasigan of Today was more emphatic as he said: "Nagamit, oo naman. Pero selected lang. Halata naman ‘yung dapat na report na supposedly na ibigay muna sa IIAO ay inuna muna sa newspapers." Romie Evangelista, President of the PNP Press Corps was quoted expressing the same feeling. Observers saw that it was a good thing that the PNP had a very vigilant press corps, otherwise the other side of the issue would not have been written about. To the members of the press corps it was nothing personal, just a job to be done and a service to the public.

Jesus Sison of Malaya wrote what many felt after hearing the PAOCTF chief’s offer to resign, "Lacson is not giving President Estrada any options. In effect, he told the President: It’s Lastimoso or me." Meanwhile Sison warned, "While the PNP senior officers are fighting each other, the NPAs are laughing."

Adrian Cristobal of Inquirer offered his view: "It is not, in the end, a matter between Ping Lacson and Bobby Lastimoso, but sadly, a matter between the police establishment and the people it is sworn to protect and defend...How the whole controversy between Lacson and Lastimoso unravels would be more crucial to the safety of our besieged society than to the comfort of the Estrada administration."

The Inquirer editorial concluded that the President "ought to focus on the larger issue, which is Lastimoso’s alleged connections to drug dealers" saying "this is much too serious an allegation to dismiss as a product of clashing ambitions." For the editorial "there are no two ways about it: either Lacson is a big liar or Lastimoso is a big-time protector of drug lords." It added that the President’s first task is to find out who is who and that either one deserves to be sacked or the other to be jailed.

Clearly public attention will be focused on the ongoing investigation conducted by the Ombudsman. Any attempt to muddle that investigation will be met by strong public censure.

People are demanding that the police now pay more attention to the their job. (For example, DZBB reminded the listeners about the nagging problem of holdup and carnapping as it reported that two more taxicabs were held up and carnapped in Quezon City and that snatchers and pickpockets still abound in that city. It was not all bad for the CPD nevertheless. Rod Izon of DZMM commended the CPD for the much improved traffic situation along EDSA especially in Balintawak where CPD traffic enforcers were very much visible. DZMM aired the complaints against two Tanay policemen, a certain SPO2 Reynaldo Pilapil and a certain PO2 Edilberto Santos who have been making arrest without warrant and making money out of the bail bond imposed on those they arrested in connivance with a municipal judge and a bail bond insurance company. People were also alarmed by the reports that WPD policemen have been staging protest actions and twice walked out on their director over their objection against a reorganization scheme.)

DATE : 6 May 1999

Follow-up stories on the PNP controversy remained on front pages this morning but another story, the court verdict on the Chiong kidnap case, already grab much prime space from it. Stories on the PNP controversy started focusing on the C,PNP’s accusers. Malaya’s headline announced, "Wiretapping charges eyed vs Lasti accuser." The Manila Times already described the PAOCTF’s chief as the "embattled leader" while its headline warned, "Lacson boys ready to quit for/with him." Trying to keep the heat on the C,PNP, the People’s Journal headline opted to point out that according to senators Dr. Jaca could have really "used" the C,PNP.

But it was the reported taped conversation with the C,PNP that Malaya’s editorial focused on this morning. The editorial reiterated that the tapes will be inadmissible in court but nevertheless found them capable of prolonging the controversy as it expected "that the transcript of the Acop tapes will get circulated via xerox, e-mail and other wonders of modern communication." To many, the editorial sounded more like expecting the worst as it concluded: "The lid is blown open. More shit is about to hit the fan."

"The PNP rating is down in SWS poll" even while the C,PNP garnered an unprecedented high satisfaction rating for the first quarter of this year according to a front-page report of Alfred Dalizon of Journal this morning. It was said that the overall survey results were still being kept from the public by the PNP. While the ratings do not have anything to do with the current controversy readers glossing over the front page tended to get the impression that they do.

(Over the radio, DZBB with Jay Sonza on board gave similar attention to the tapes as it interviewed C Supt Rey Acop who simply reiterated what he has said in the hearings including the part when the C,PNP allegedly threatened his men making them think of resigning en masse. DZMM on the other hand interviewed Rep Roilo Golez who stressed that one of the protagonists in the controversy has to go to satisfy the public. Noli de Castro felt that even if the C,PNP will be cleared of all the charges leveled against him, some doubts will remain in the minds of the public regarding the PNP. DZRH for its part reiterated the call of the C,PNP for all police personnel to concentrate on their job despite the controversy. DZXL on the other hand interviewed Executive Secretary Zamora who said that the President has no plan to relieve either the C,PNP or the PAOCTF chief at this time and is still waiting for the results of the formal investigations. Zamora was also heard denying that the President has left the PAOCTF chief in the cold. It was apparent that listeners this morning were less attentive to reports on the controversy. It was an indication that more people are now just looking for the final resolution of the issues that seem to have been threshed out already these past days.)

DATE : 7 May 1999

Newspapers simply continued their diverse inclinations regarding the current controversy. The Journal group tried a little balancing in its presentation. While its broadsheet headline reported the filing of "graft and attempted corruption" charges by the Nar-Group director against the C,PNP, it’s People’s Journal headline announced that "ANOTHER GENERAL FACES AX" for wire tapping. The headline of Today on the other hand opted to quote Erap telling Ping’s men, "You’re replaceable." Malaya’s headline emphasized that the PNP rating dived to minus one making most readers glossing over the front page get the impression that it had something to do with the current controversy involving the C,PNP when it had none. The subheading clarified that the C,PNP for himself garnered +41 approval rating and added that Dir Ping Lacson actually got the same approval rating himself for the same period.

(Over the radio Noli de Castro gave more weight to the charges leveled against the C,PNP than the charge of wire-tapping hurled against C Supt Rey Acop. De Castro urged the President to hasten the resolution of this controversy.) Ermin Garcia Jr. of Manila Times this morning saw nothing wrong when junior officers accuse their superiors as he pointed out that it is precisely because of the "strict adherence to the principle of chain of command in both the military and the police force...why only the small fries in the organization get hitched in the fight against the illegal drug trade and gambling in this country." Garcia even wanted the reported taped conversation with the C,PNP be heard by the legislators even if they were illegally made so they may learn "about the corruption in the police organization." (DZRH with Joe Taruc on board chose to emphasize that C Supt Acop has no basis to accuse the C,PNP and that he is the one who should be charged.) Ana Marie Pamintuan of Philippine Star on the other hand maintained that the case against Lastimoso suffered a blow when C Supt Acop revealed that they taped the conversation with the C,PNP without any court clearance. Pamintuan tried to picture a widespread "siege mentality" among police officers as she related how many of them have ordered their offices and houses swept for bugs.

The gossip column of Manila Times, the Elven Tales, came out with another story regarding the RAM. Contrary to the speculation regarding a pro-Lacson RAM plot that was earlier written about by Ducky Paredes of Malaya, Elven Tales said that actually "the former rebels were worried that they may not last six years with the harassment they have been receiving from Lacson’s men." It added that "since Erap’s most trusted general became the country’s virtual top cop with the creation of the PAOCTF, a number of RAM members have been removed from sensitive positions in the police organization" and that "the integration of some of its members to the service, in line with the agreement RAM forged with the government, has also been delayed." It was mentioned that this might have something to do with the support that RAM gave Jose de Venecia during the elections. It even specifically said that the RAM leaders have mapped out plans "to counter Lacson’s onslaught."

Dave Veridiano and Martin Marfil of Inquirer, quoting an unnamed source, came out with a front-page story about the secret meeting between the C,PNP and the PAOCTF chief that was mediated by the SILG. It was said that in that meeting the two police officials "agreed that they had been used by an outside party for a ‘selfish goal’." While this angle was a possibility, most people think that the story will be very hard to sell to the public with the gravity of the accusations hurled by one side against the other.

To the public, the plot thickens. But still, they want the due process of the law to proceed.

DATE : 8-10 May 1999

Only the front pages of Journal group and Malaya published follow-up reports on the current PNP controversy. The stories expounded on the point of view of C Supt Rey Acop and quoted him accusing the C,PNP of providing the defense for the jailed Madraso after stating in his affidavit that the two kilos of shabu were actually planted by those who arrested the suspected drug lord. Acop was also quoted specifically pointing out that Madraso himself never complained about any planted shabu the first time he faced the fiscal. Alvin Capino of Today wrote this morning that alluding to the existence of the taped conversation was a "clever ploy" by Acop "when no other evidence except his own allegations and the allegations of the other police officers identified with Lacson could support the charges" against the C,PNP. Capino said it was a serious blow against which the C,PNP could not defend himself precisely because no lawful body would accept tapes illegally obtained.

The Inquirer editorial this morning chided the C,PNP's accusers for their "retreat" as shown by changes in their declarations. Specifically cited was when Dir Ping Lacson told "the Senate committee on public order that Lastimoso seemed to have been 'used' as an 'unsuspecting tool' for protecting drug syndicates by his old friend, Dr. Billy Jaca...and that he didn't believe the PNP chief obtained any 'material gain' from his dealings with the Cebu-based eye doctor." Also mentioned was when S Supt Reynor Gonzales who had earlier accused the C,PNP of bribing him "came up with a pat explanation for the PNP chief's unusual offer – Lastimoso was just testing his (Gonzales') integrity." The editorial thought that with the C,PNP's accusers beating a hasty retreat, "what was once promised to be a major victory in the war against drugs has proven to be another major embarrassment for the PNP and the Estrada administration." The editorial assessed that "Lacson and his group talked too much and too soon while doing too little", they "miscalculated the strength and influence of the forces they were ranged against, including the newly appointed Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno" and they "failed to reckon with Mr. Estrada's machismo" that rebuffed their threats of resignation.

The headline story of People's Journal this morning also quoted an unnamed ex-narcotics agent who, apparently in support of the C,PNP's accusers and to justify wire tapping, said that the government could lose the drug war if it does not go high tech. Neal Cruz of Inquirer this morning already came out with a full column expressing his fear that the drug epidemic is more serious than we realize. Max Soliven of Philippine Star on the other hand tried to catch up with the rest by reiterating all that has been said about the drug-related controversy that hit the PNP – from the irreparable damage that it has done to the PNP and the C,PNP, the need for the protagonists to go on leave, Lacson acting as a spoiled brat, the demand for Acop to be booted out for wire tapping and the suspicion that RAM boys are behind it all. It was Ducky Paredes of Malaya this morning that could not contain himself from seeing "the resurgence of the RAM gang" in what's happening in the PNP right now. Paredes has openly suspected that the RAM has been plotting against the C,PNP. But it was Paredes himself who revealed his enduring hostility towards the RAM as he said: "Am I being paranoid writing about the RAM when no one else even sees its shadow? Perhaps. But, then, it is really the only thing that can explain all the things that they are doing – lying, fabricating and plotting against the chief of the PNP and cheating and running roughshod over our laws and, in the process, even bringing down the institution of the PNP."

To keen observers it is now apparent that the accusers of the C,PNP are now banking on the testimony of Acop and their main problem now is how to defend him over the wire tapping issue.

Over the weekend a few headlines and front-page stories kept the current PNP controversy alive in the minds of the people. But to most of them, there was nothing substantially new except for some clarification and qualification on previous statements issued by the main personalities mired in the conflict. Most held on to their view that there was nothing more to be done except allow the law to take its due course.

Last Saturday, the headline of Manila Times quoted the C,PNP decrying the "devil's hatchet job" trained against him. The story by Dona Policar was culled from the emotional speech the C,PNP delivered before a gathering of the Philippine Association of Detective and Protective Agencies. In the same report, it was mentioned that the President has persuaded the PAOCTF chief to take back his vow to resign once the C,PNP is cleared of the charges leveled against him. Malaya also announced this in its subheadline as it bannered the counter affidavit of the C,PNP accusing the Southern Tagalog police of planting the two kilos of shabu seized from alleged drug dealer Rafael Madraso.

According to Federico Pascual of Philippine Star yesterday, this only meant that President Erap himself confirmed that "Ping is really untouchable." Pascual pointed out that this "only disproved his avowal that nobody was indispensable." Pascual also called for the outright dismissal of C Supt Rey Acop for illegal wire tapping. He continued, "If Acop is not dismissed and Lacson put in his proper place, President Estrada and the rest of them can forget about ever winning back public support for the police."

Belinda Olivares-Cunanan of Inquirer last Saturday gave a revealing brief on what people feel about the controversy. She said that "the citizens feel totally negative about this war among the generals" and "with all the charges and countercharges flung at each other by the two top generals of the PNP, one wonders how the PNP can recover." She nevertheless said, "It must be noted that in the perception game being played, anti-crime czar Panfilo Lacson has been losing to PNP chief Roberto Lastimoso." She said that the C,PNP "projects an easy, affable image that does not threaten...seems to enjoy the sympathy of majority of the members of Congress, most of those in media and now the over 400-strong Association of Generals and Flag Officers." The same association was quoted by the headline of Today yesterday pushing for the prosecution of Acop for wire tapping. In contrast, according to Cunanan, "Lacson seems to inspire fear in the public even without trying, and projects an image of ruthlessness." Cunanan added that "Lacson commands loyalty of his men as well as the sympathy of the Chinese-Filipino community, led by civic leader Tessie Ang See."

Ernie Maceda of Philippine Star on the other hand took Lacson to task last Saturday for saying it was "worse" when the President told him to shut up. Maceda stressed: "Any cabinet member must shut up or resign when told so by the President. Much more undersecretaries and lower ranking officials." On officers who are threatening to resign Maceda had this to say: "The loyalty should not be to the Task Force Commander or to the Director General, but to the office, and to the President."

Meanwhile, Robina Y. Gokongwei-Pe, came out with her own column in Manila Times yesterday to give "the other side of Ping." She recalled her ordeal in the hands of her kidnappers and how in the end she and her cousin were rescued by men led by Lacson. It was a dramatic show of gratitude to her savior coming at a time when some in media have been standing to be counted on either side of the conflict. For its part, the People's Journal, capitalizing on another robbery gang busted by men of the PAOCTF, came out with another headline that tended to boost Lacson's image: "Another one by Ping's boys."

Cunanan continued to reveal that actually several of her colleagues in the print media have wondered why the President has not done anything about the two warring generals, such as asking both of them to step down while the charges against them are being investigated. Yesterday, reports quoted the President maintaining a hands-off policy on the PNP dispute leaving the matter for the Ombudsman to decide and insisting that he will side with the one who has been following and enforcing the law.

Cunanan again mentioned the attempt of some quarters to link the present PNP controversy to the "once rebellious RAM" and raise the possibility that although "Class' 71 (PMA) looks very factionalized" right now, "certain circumstances could make its leaders unite toward a common objective: power." She then reiterated the final intrigue, "This is probably what Mr. Estrada is aware --- or wary --- of."

Jonathan de la Cruz of Malaya last Saturday insisted that "Drugs, not Lacson, is the issue." While De la Cruz believed that Lacson may have overstepped the bounds by his strong comments on the possible involvement of the C,PNP in drugs in such an open and emotional manner, even injecting his relations with the President, he maintained that "the bottom line is to find out if there is basis to the accusations" against the C,PNP. The broadsheet Journal last Saturday came out with a front-page article reiterating once more the C,PNP's alleged assistance to a drug lord during the time when Acop was the Narcotics Group director. Incidentally, the report mentioned the suggestion by Representative Ernesto Herrera to abolish the PNP, something that the President outrightly rejected as reported by newspapers yesterday.

Most people remained steadfast on their position that for now everything should be left to the Ombudsman to determine if there is strong basis to file formal charges against the C,PNP. And the Journal editorial last Saturday agreed as it said, "Leave it to the Ombudsman."

And while they wait for the Ombudsman's decision, people are training their sight on how the PNP is coping with the controversy. What they don't want to see are certain quarters taking advantage of the situation -- organized crime groups who might exploit the perceived division at the top police echelon and ambitious public officials who would ride on the conflict to advance their personal agenda.

Critics and detractors of the PNP would scan for signs of disintegrating chain of command that would picture the C,PNP as a "lame duck." Every major crime especially by criminal syndicates will be attributed to the demoralization in the police ranks. Carnapping, kidnapping and armed robberies in band will be interpreted as collapse of law enforcement. Every drug-related incident will be blamed on drug-coddling police officials. They would claim difficulty in imagining how discipline throughout the entire police organization can be maintained if one or two major PNP units no longer follow the chain of command.

With the above situation, there is no better way to prove the critics wrong except to bust some big crime groups at this most trying hour of the PNP.

DATE : 11 May 1999

Reporters got wind of a meeting of top PNP officials last Sunday and speculations characterized their reports. Except for C Supt Steve Cudal no one else among those who reportedly attended that meeting was quoted. Malaya's headline concluded that during the meeting "20 generals" said that the C,PNP "has lost right to lead." Gerry de Belen of Malaya quoted Cudal describing the meeting as "informal and without specific agenda" that was aimed at "sharing insights in pursuit of police professionalism." De Belen also quoted him explaining that nobody set up the meeting as it was part of a continuous dialogue and that those who attended had only one common denominator and that is their desire "to end these bickerings that have been very detrimental to the entire organization." De Belen then quoted unnamed sources who said that the attending officials agreed on two possible actions: (1) "to seek an audience with President Estrada as a group and ask for 'more decisive action' on the controversy and (2) to seek "one-on-one meetings with Lastimoso to impress on him that he should step down while investigation is going on." Incidentally, De Belen reported that the meeting was held somewhere in Pasay while the other newspapers said it was at City Garden Restaurant in Mandaluyong.

A front-page Philippine Star report by Perseus Echeminada, Mike Frialde and Marichu Villanueva on the other hand quoted Cudal stressing that it was just a "fellowship gathering" where Dir Lacson even told them "not to take sides...maintain professionalism in the ranks and to respect the authority of the PNP chief." The headline of Philippine Star quoted the C,PNP indicating his desire to quit to make way for a top-to-bottom revamp of the PNP.

The Inquirer for its part made it appear that the meeting was called by Lacson himself "to draft a manifesto asking the Commander in Chief for a 'bull session'." The headline report by Juliet Javellana, Cathy Yamsuan, Volt Contreras and Dave Veridiano mentioned that the meeting "irked some Camp Crame officials who pointed out that the President had ordered a gag on the word war between Lacson and Lastimoso" and that sources said "Lacson could also be guilty of further insubordination for calling the meeting" despite a standing memorandum from the C,PNP directing all officers to seek permission before attending any meeting. The report added more intrigue by quoting another unnamed source saying, "It seems that now, Lacson's group is asking the President to shut up."

The People's Journal version by Itchie Cabayan, Froilan Garcia and Cristy Lee-Pisco claimed that during the meeting the attending officers decided to (1) "ask President Estrada to relieve the PNP chief as soon as possible to avoid insinuations of a whitewash in the investigation of the charges against him" and (2) "ask Lastimoso himself to resign, if the first option failed." The headline of People's Journal was however on the PNP revamp suggested by the C,PNP "before he goes on leave from PNP."

But what really grabbed more major headlines and front page space this morning (Manila Standard, Today and Manila Times) was the report that phones have been tapped by the PAOCTF and other PNP units. Initially quoted by the reports was Rep. Raul Gonzalez who accused these agencies of tapping more than 3,000 telephone lines. Also quoted by the reports was Reynaldo Bagatsing of the Pasay Human Rights Center who claimed that by their own information police have tapped at least 199 telephone lines. The Manila Standard reported prominently that among those tapped were 7 Supreme Court judges, 27 cops, 78 solons, 33 journalists and 19 businessmen. A group of congressmen belonging to the minority party was already issuing press releases expressing their concern over these reports.

To keen observers, the wire tapping issue that C Supt Rey Acop has found himself enmeshed with has been blown out of proportion. Together with the growing tendency to speculate on every movement within the PNP, it has now become more urgent to most people that the nagging controversy be resolved as soon as possible. That is why many people saw some hope in what the C,PNP suggested in yesterday's Senate hearing.

DATE : 12 May 1999

For the public the issues on the PNP controversy have been muddled further. Where before the main issues to them were the alleged drug links of the C,PNP on one hand and the reported demolition job against the C,PNP on the other, now we have the wire-tapping issue added to one side and the alleged well funded drive to get heat off the C,PNP added to the other.

The Journal headline story by Alfred Dalizon quoted an unnamed "senior police general" saying that "drug and jueteng money is being used to divert attention away from the real issues in the raging controversy over top PNP officials' alleged involvement with bigtime drug dealers." A similar report quoting unnamed "ranking police officials" by Tess Bedico was the banner story of People's Journal.

A front-page article by Dona Policar on the other hand revealed that a "highly paid PR expert confirmed that he had been approached by both Deputy Director-General Lastimoso and Director Panfilo "Ping" Lacson...Because...he was a friend of both...he refused to accept any offer." But Policar's story appeared either contradicting itself or attempting to show that the unnamed source was contradicting himself when it added, "The PR consultant...also admitted...that Lastimoso could not afford his asking price of P20 million."

Tempo and Manila Times opted to exploit the wire-tapping issue further. Tempo's headline quoted President Estrada vowing that he will not tolerate illegal wire-taps by PNP officers, calling it "infringement of privacy." Manila Times bannered the "bugging list" drawn up by the PAOCTF that included at least two dozen active-duty and retired Armed Forces generals and close to 40 other police officers, most of them closely identified with Former Fidel Ramos. An unnamed "senior police intelligence officer" was indirectly identified as the source of the list that Manila Times got hold of. The editorial of Today wanted names of the bugged so investigation on wire tapping will move forward and suggested that immunity be considered for the wiretappers who were just following orders. Then Today further deepened the intrigue by alleging that wire tapping played a key role in the change of management in the PLDT at the behest of a noted influence-peddler. It was a clear attempt by Today to link people close to the administration to wire tapping.

The headlines of Inquirer and Malaya clashed over the "bull session" issue. Inquirer, in a report by Juliet Javellana, Cathy Yamsuan and Froilan Gallardo of its Visayas Bureau, quoted the President telling Ping, "Cut the bull, obey orders." The Chief Executive was further quoted saying, "I will not allow any bull session with any of these people." Malaya, in a report by Gerry de Belen, on the other hand quoted C Supt Roberto Calinisan saying that the President "verbally approved" such a request for a meeting during the inauguration of the Masinloc power plant in Zambales the other day.

With that, the President appeared once again to be contradicting himself. Political observers were anticipating the Presidential temper exploding once more. Larry Sipin of Manila Standard, after clarifying that "neither Lastimoso nor Lacson" is his "kind of hero," was already egging the President to instill "discipline and the fear of God in erring cops" like he used to when he was mayor of San Juan by treating them like "punching bags." Sipin nevertheless expressed alarm over the reported bugging of the C,PNP. Sipin believed that the bugging did not have any other purpose but "to batter Lastimoso" and said: "Lastimoso is battered. We need not even hear the wire tap tapes. As things stand, Lastimoso is beat. Mission accomplished." He then warned, "If the privacy of the PNP chief can be violated, then they can make a mockery out of our constitutional right to privacy any time."

Emil Jurado of Manila Standard was already lamenting that the "PNP has lost focus on drugs" as he said that the "issue here is neither Lastimoso nor Lacson, but the very existence and credibility of the institution tasked to protect the citizenry." Reading Jurado further down his column one learns of his continuing support for the C,PNP.

It was the editorial of Philippine Star that soberly assessed the current war against drugs amidst the raging controversy and recent setbacks that left the impression that the government's anti-drug campaign leaves much to be desired. The editorial was pushing for the creation of a new agency to coordinate the government's anti-drug campaign, something similar to the US Drug Enforcement Agency, that will have its own men who don't belong to any of the existing law enforcement agencies. It nevertheless conceded that the campaign against drugs can't be taken out entirely from the PNP – cops will still have to go after pushers and drug abusers in their areas of jurisdiction. But readers tended to go back to the basic issue of police corruption that can still derail any serious effort to stamp out drugs.

DATE : 13 May 1999

Ahead of the rest Manila Times came out with the alleged wire tap list in its headline story and claimed that it has in its possession alleged internal documents of the PAOCTF proving the existence of a certain Oplan Habagat-Vector Alpha that targeted close to 300 senior officials from the Cabinet, House of Representatives, constitutional agencies, Senate and the Supreme Court and those from the media and religious groups. Its editorial related how despite the President's assurance that the law against wire tapping will not be violated by his men, there are those "who seem to want to hear more from the commander-in-chief, in terms of how he will ensure that those who enforce the law will uphold the law." Related stories in both print and broadcast media showed the strong reactions of various groups against wiretapping. For a growing number of people the heat is already on the President. The usually docile Manila Bulletin came out strongly with a banner story by Isabel de Leon on the President's directive to the NBI to investigate the reported wiretapping. And by its sub-headline it gave prominence to the suggestion of Senator Drilon for both the C,PNP and the PAOCTF head be ordered to take a forced leave of absence.

On the other hand, four major headlines quoted either President Estrada or Dir Ping Lacson denying the wiretapping activity of the PAOCTF. The headlines of Manila Standard, Journal and People's Journal quoted the President defending Lacson and calling the wiretapping charge "black propaganda" that is part of the demolition job on Lacson. (Over the radio DZRH with Joe Taruc on board and DZMM with Noli De Castro on board supported the line that the wiretapping issue was being used to divert public attention from drugs.)

The headline of Malaya quoted Lacson decrying the use of the wiretapping issue as a diversionary ploy concocted by a PR group hired by those close to the C,PNP. The headlines of Today and Inquirer appeared to follow the lead of Malaya and tried to bring public attention back to the drug issue. The Inquirer headline was about the clearance given to suspected drug dealer Rafael Madraso by C Supt Robert Delfin on May 6. It was reported that senators investigating the PNP controversy found the clearance dubious. The headline of Today asked, "PNP brass covering up drug lord's case?" The accompanying report quoted Senator Barbers noting that even the Narcotics Group director, S Supt Renor Gonzalez and Intelligence Chief C Supt Julius Yarcia, testified at yesterday's hearing that Madraso was not on the PNP's order of battle against the drug lords. This information confirmed to those closely following the controversy that the accusers of the C,PNP are now mainly banking on the testimony of C Supt Rey Acop that has been beclouded by the wiretapping issue.

Inquirer and Today opted to play it safe over the wiretapping list that was made public. Inquirer expressed its reservation by coming out with a front-page article by Cathy Yamsuan, one of those in the wiretap list, who pointed out she does not even have a phone.

While Today had a front-page report by Fernan Marasigan on the wire tapping history of Lacson's group, its editorial raised some doubts on the wiretap list that was made public as it noted that it even included such person as Marichu Villanueva who is "the nicest girl in town and has ever had only the most pleasant things to say about everybody in every administration." But the editorial nevertheless said: "This looks funny. And yet, it may be genuine in substance. The inclusion of the ludicrous may have been intended to throw investigators off the track." It could only say to the newspaper that first published the list: "Bravo, Times, you are back in stride and better." It parted by warning the Times, "On the other hand, this better not be something you made up. In any case, your owners can expect a call from a panting Estrada, bolting the door behind him on the screaming mob from the list."

The Inquirer editorial considered that the reported wiretapping operations of the PAOCTF could be a "far-fetched idea" or "a conspiracy theory fit only for the tabloids" but concluded that "if Acop has no compunction about bugging the telephones of his boss, then he and his colleagues would probably have no compunction about bugging the telephones of presumed enemies of the state." The second editorial of Inquirer even linked the wiretapping to the administration's effort to resurrect the bill requiring citizens to file statements of assets and liabilities, something that critics consider an invasion of privacy that offer much room for abuse.

Malaya, one of the major newspapers that has been observed to be consistently carrying the side of the C,PNP's accusers, except perhaps for the column of Ducky Paredes, came out with an editorial sounding very exasperated as it chided those in media, "And the media should have known better than to allow itself to be used in what is obviously a psy-war operation." The editorial then blamed S Supt Acop for the wiretapping mess that has already overshadowed the drug issue in the PNP controversy as it declared, "Supt. (sic) Reynaldo Acop...is to blame for this mess with his original admission that in the interest of the higher good, kuno, he taped telephone conversations on alleged drug coddling." Now the Malaya editorial is suggesting full disclosure in public of the wiretapping list and the alleged taped conversations, something that Malaya knew very well will not be permitted by law. Actually Malaya doubted that there were such tapes and if indeed there were it was sure even the congressman will not allow them to be made public as it said: "The Acop tapes allegedly caught Jaca asking if his girlfriend had already taken a bath. Perhaps the tapes involving congressmen, if these really exist and this we doubt, would be interesting."

People want to go back to the drug issue but they could not simply ignore the succeeding issues that came out. Now the Estrada administration is getting more and more of the heat and his political advisers are reportedly getting worried.

DATE : 14 May 1999

Readers continued to get a barrage of reports and counter-reports on the raging PNP controversy. The headlines of Manila Times, Today and Manila Standard remained focused on the wiretapping charge against Dir Ping Lacson and his group. The Manila Times quoted "sources in the intelligence community" confirming that private firms have been used as fronts for phone bugging conducted by the PAOCTF. PAOCTF sources were quoted denying the accusation and blaming a "rival intelligence unit" and "intelligence officers who were associated with former President Fidel Ramos" for fabricating the report. The banner stories of Today and Manila Standard on the other hand quoted Sr Supt Eduardo Matillano offering evidence seized from Lacson's office in 1998 to prove wiretapping activities. As this developed Catholic bishops were quoted by reports calling for the clipping of the PAOCTF's powers because "it has grown so big for the comfort of the Filipino people."

It was the Journal group that countered the wiretapping issue against Lacson. The headline of People's Journal quoted Senate President Marcelo Fernan expressing his suspicion that the wiretap issue could be a "bum steer" to muddle the issue on illegal drugs. The report nevertheless mentioned that Fernan issued orders to sweep all Senate offices for bugs. The banner story of the broadsheet Journal for its part quoted Presidential spokesman Fernando Barican confirming that President Estrada approved the entrapment operations of the PAOCTF including the wiretap on suspected drug trafficker Abello "Billy" Jaca and that the operations had nothing to do with the C,PNP.

Meanwhile, the Inquirer and Malaya kept the heat on C Supt Robert Delfin for the questioned drug clearance he issued to arrested drug suspect Rafael Madraso last May 6 at the height of the controversy. PNP director for intelligence C Supt Julius Yarcia was quoted saying that Delfin has some explaining to do. (A front-page report of Today yesterday quoted Senator Barbers expressing disappointment that even the Narcotics Group director, Sr Supt Reynor Gonzalez and Intelligence Chief C Supt Julius Yarcia, testified at Wednesday's hearing that Madraso was not on the PNP's order of battle against the drug lords. Readers are confused.) The Inquirer headline on the other hand quoted Senator Biazon warning that if Delfin fails to adequately explain his clearance of a suspected drug dealer, he may find himself the subject of a new Senate inquiry into the extent of the influence of drug traffickers among police officers and men.

Philippine Star read between the lines voiced out by the C,PNP and reported that the C,PNP "virtually admitted the he hired a public relations firm but clarified he did not do it to enhance his own public image which has been tarnished by drug-related charges." (Jay Sonza of DZBB, continuing his strong criticism of the C,PNP, said that not even the best PR outfit can improve the image of the PNP if its officers and men remain corrupt and negligent of their job.)

Dan Mariano of Today already concluded that the wiretap list published by Manila Times was a "bum steer," a "koryente." He said that the media organizations that gave the report the prominence it did not deserve cannot hide behind the usual—and lame—excuse of an "honest mistake." He said that the list of newsmen who made a killing by playing up the nonstory allegedly includes editors, reporters and columnists who regularly condemn "envelopmental journalism." Now readers are waiting for those in Manila Times to prove their detractors wrong.

Perception of division in the ranks of the PNP persisted among the various reports. The front-page reports of Alfred Dalizon of Journal and Cecille Suerte Felipe of Philippine Star made that impression on the readers. From Dalizon's report on the covenant signed during a symposium on the anti-drug campaign attended by ranking PNP officials led by C Supt Rey Acop and Sr Supt Reynor Gonzalez readers could easily perceive an attempt to boost the position of the C,PNP's accusers. Felipe's report on the rounds made by the C,PNP gave the impression that the C,PNP was conducting a loyalty check in view of these developments. Readers even saw some buttressing of position from the published photos of the joint PAOCTF-Nar Group press con on the latest drug catch.

Meanwhile, Alvin Capino of Today pointed out that at the rate things are going in the feud between the C,PNP and the PAOCTF Chief, President Estrada would have to do something drastic if he wants to prevent a total collapse of the national police organization. Capino observed that already "one gets the impression that President Estrada is not in full control of the situation at the PNP." Capino thought that eight weeks or more before the Ombudsman could come out with its findings and recommendations might be too long in the light of the escalating exchanges between the opposing camps in the controversy.

Emil Jurado of Manila Standard warned that what is being destroyed is 'whatever is left of the PNP's integrity and credibility" by what he suspected as "some forces out to demolish not only PNP Director-General Roberto Lastimoso and PAOCTF Chief Panfilo Lacson" and "ultimately to make a mockery of the President's pledge to restore peace and order." Jurado strongly pointed out that drugs is the real issue and not power play as he lamented that the media has been used to further "this well-funded and well-orchestrated campaign against the police" that has benefited no one but the "moneyed drug traffickers and drug lords."

(Radio reports this morning were trying to divert public attention back to the day-to-day responsibilities of the police. Police traffic enforcers were again criticized for neglecting their duties in several parts of Metro Manila like Quiapo and Alabang flyover. The stations followed up the case of the police colonel of Quezon City who was caught driving a stolen vehicle. And the stations were monitoring once more erring policemen like the TMG policeman, a certain SPO2 Jessie Versoza, who was reported arrested by a WPD mobile for indiscriminately firing his gun whenever drunk. There were nevertheless reports on some commendable job by the police such as in the shootout with suspected robbers in a Quezon City market where two of the suspects and one policeman were killed. Listeners appeared to be already tired of hearing the endless exchange of accusations by both sides in the ongoing PNP controversy.)

DATE : 15 May 1999

For the second time, and hopefully for the last time as readers were hoping, major headlines (Philippine Star, Manila Standard, Journal, Tempo, Today) quoted President Estrada warning both the C,PNP and the PAOCTF Chief that they will be forced to take a leave of absence if they do not stop their word war.

The Manila Times nevertheless continued its exposé on the alleged covert operations of the PAOCTF that included not only wiretapping but rummaging through air mail and packages. The exclusive report by Alcuin Papa has been referring to "documents obtained by The Times" that showed the existence of such questionable activities of the task force. While many raised doubts on its veracity, the wiretap list that The Times earlier published has stirred some sectors to demand for an investigation on the possibility that the privacy of citizens has been violated. Many admitted that the drug issue in the PNP controversy has been relegated to the side by the fuss over wiretapping.

Reacting to insinuations that they have been paid by the PR group of the C,PNP, The Manila Times' staff through their editorial assured everyone that they have not forgotten where the wiretapping controversy all started – "After Lastimoso was tagged as a coddler of illegal drug traders, and a Lacson loyalist named Reynaldo Acop slipped and admitted recording the PNP chief's private conversations, the list of 300 was discovered." They also pointed out that while "the issue is the country's top cop possibly pretending to be blind – and playing coddler or protector – to those who push the social menace called drugs", on the other hand the issue is also "power play in the PNP that derives in large measure from a problematic situation: the existence of parallel power structures in the organization." On what the Times called a "spin" of the PAOCTF that the alleged wiretapping activities are a supposed diversionary tactic by the C,PNP's camp, the editorial told "Lacson and his boys" that on them lies the burden to show that theirs is more than "spin."

The Inquirer editorial this morning came out strongly in support of Lacson's position on the drug issue as it concluded: "Lacson has a clearly legitimate and strong reason to seek the relief of Lastimoso, a move backed by a number of senior police officers, because drug trafficking is not only a social menace but is also a major anti-crime campaign of the administration. It is not hard to understand that with Lastimoso's established links with the drug lords, his presence at the PNP top command puts him in a position to undermine the PAOCTF's campaign against the drug syndicates." Taking cognizance of the "split" in the PNP, its second editorial nevertheless thought that "the fairest way to break the impasse at the PNP is to put both Lastimoso and Lacson under preventive suspension while the cases against them are being resolved" and recommended that "the wiretapping allegations should be investigated further, and they should be investigated separately from the report on Lastimoso."

Ducky Paredes came out again strongly supporting the C,PNP citing defects and flaws in what his accusers did. Paredes at the outset pointed out: "What make the charges against Roberto Lastimoso...suspicious is that they were filed in April when he was made permanent, not when the alleged bribery took place in January. Second, the charges were filed through the newspapers." What many people could not understand is why despite the knowledge of the President on the drug allegations against the C,PNP as Lacson claimed, the appointment of the C,PNP was made permanent. Many thought that if the President really knew about the allegations he should have realized that it was something that threatened the very security of the state that merited executive actions aimed at preserving the integrity of the main law enforcement organ while the threat was eliminated using the full power of the Presidency and the Commander-in-Chief. Surely publicity would have been ruled out.

While Paredes vouched for the integrity of the controversial Dr. Jaca, he reiterated the common impression even among those who now still support the C,PNP that the C,PNP "crossed the bonds of management when he gave his civilian friend too much importance."

Meanwhile people now want to see if the Presidential gag will work.

DATE : 17 May 1999

All major headlines announced that the President approved the requests of both Dep Dir Gen Roberto Lastimoso and Dir Panfilo Lacson to go on leave. (It was also the big story over the radio stations.)

There seemed to be a unanimous approval of the President's decision. Max Soliven of Philippine Star was right on time this morning to heave a big sigh of relief that "at last" the President has decided that the two top police officers "have to go on leave."

The other columnists came out a little bit late in their call for the two to do exactly the same. Emil Jurado of Manila Standard this morning said that "it may painful be on the part of the President to let the axe fall on Lastimoso, whose term was extended by the President no less, and worse with Lacson, knowing their close association as crime fighters, but the President must do what has to be done."

Jay Sonza, writing for The Manila Times, reiterated his call for Lastimoso whom he considered "the most ineffective official of the land...because every step he makes is now suspect" "to leave the PNP".

Jesus Sison of Malaya thought that "the Lastimoso-Lacson feud is already too wide and too deep" and said, "Perhaps the only solution to the problem is one of them to resign...or better still they should both resign."

The editorials of Inquirer and Today kept their focus on what they have considered the main issue in the controversy. Both editorials gave more weight on the drug issue. Inquirer thought that while there was still no "solid evidence" to pin down Lastimoso on the drug charges the "sooty details" on Lastimoso's association with suspected drug lords were enough reason for Lastimoso to step down if only for the duration of the investigations. Inquirer remarked suspiciously: "But where there's smoke, there's got to be fire. In the Lastimoso case, the smoke is suffocating. Where that's coming from, there's got to be a conflagration."

Today's column on the other hand urged "the authorities to remain focused in their investigation of the original issue that has pitted Lacson against Lastimoso." Showing its doubts on the wiretapping counter-charges it said, "Allowing the probes to be derailed by unsubstantiated allegations of wiretapping can only cause observers to suspect that one of the contending parties was able to compromise the investigators."

Julius Babao, writing for People's Journal, expressed alarm over the alleged wiretapping that reportedly included him among the targets and wanted Lacson investigated regarding it, but only after Lastimoso has been investigated on charges of coddling drug traffickers.

Now that an acting C,PNP has been named, people are expecting that statements on the long-running controversy that pitted a pro-Lastimoso camp against a pro-Lacson camp within the PNP will finally cease. People do not want to see new divisive issues rising out of the expected movement in the PNP leadership. They already had too much of the perceived infighting in the PNP.

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