PNP CHIEF Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr yesterday said there is no need, at least for now, to conduct a parallel probe on the head of the PNP Internal Affairs Service (IAS), who was recently charged with sexual harassment.
The case was filed against lawyer Alfegar Triambulo, IAS inspector general (IG), by IAS employee Genevieve Lipura, before the Office of the Ombudsman.
“Not time time maybe because the case is already with the Ombudsman. I believe it (case) was already filed there,” said Azurin when asked the PNP will conduct a parallel probe on the matter.
“But I intend to talk to our IG, IAS so I will know what happened, leading to the filing of case against him,” he added.
Sought for comment, Triambulo denied sexually harassing Lipura, saying her allegations were based merely on “perceptions.”
Triambulo tried to paint Lipura as an inefficient employee. He said Lipura was ordered suspended due to absenteeism.
Lipura, in her complaint, said received a memo for her supposed 116 absences from 2017 to 2020, which counted holidays like New Year.
Triambulo was named IAS inspector general in 2016 by then-President Duterte. Before the IAS post, Triambulo was acting regional director of the National Police Commission in the Davao region.
Republic Act 8551 or the PNP Reform and Reorganization Act of 1998 states the IAS shall be headed by an inspector general who is a civilian who will be appointed by the President.
IAS functions include inspection and audit of PNP personnel and unit, investigation of complaints, gathering data in support of an investigation, and conduct of summary hearings on PNP personnel facing administrative charges.
Asked if Triambulo would be relieved of his position, Azurin said: “I think it’s the Office of the President which will decide because it is the appointing authority.”
Lipura alleged she has been transferred from one assignment to another several times during the time of Triambulo as IAS inspector general. Recently, she was demoted to computer operator (with salary grade 9) from administrative officer (with salary grade 18).
She said she felt insulted, demeaned and humiliated by the re-assignment.
Lipura, in the complaint, said she decided to meet with Triambulo at a Quezon City restaurant to discuss her plight. During the meeting, Lipura said she told Triambulo she wants to be promoted as chief administrative officer (salary grade 24). If the post is not available, she said, she wants to be assigned to another position with the same salary grade.
She said Triambulo told her she has to work harder if she wants to be promoted, and promised he would have her transferred to the Planning and Research Division. She alleged Triambulo then told her about his family and that if if he had a girlfriend, he would not impregnate her.
After dining at the restaurant, Lipura asked Triambulo how he will get home. She said Triambulo responded that his driver already left.
She said he offered Triambulo a ride and asked him where to drop him off.
She said Triambulo suggested they go “somewhere else.” She said she declined. She said Triambulo told her he brought a “jacket.”
She said she dropped Triambulo at the IAS office at Camp Crame. As they parted ways, she said Triambulo asked her to kiss him on the cheek, which Lipura said she also declined.
