How sad that Senior Supt. Conrad Capa, the head of Task Force Tugis that was responsible for the arrest of high-profile fugitive Delfin Lee, received a rebuke from President Aquino during the awarding ceremonies recognizing police personnel for exemplary service last April 1, instead of a citation. Though the President did not mention any name, it was very obvious to his listeners that he was alluding to Capa.
Capa, who was given by Philippine National Police Director General Alan Purisima another assignment a week after Lee’s arrest, believed his transfer was not a reward, and he was quite vocal about this in the media. Which probably got the ire of the President.
If we can right away honor a cop for capturing an ordinary fugitive with an on-the-spot promotion and, later, with a citation, how much more an officer who orchestrated the capture of a big-time fugitive behind a P7-billion syndicated estafa case? Why award only three members of the team that captured the fugitive and ignore the head of the team?
P-Noy’s actuations against Capa have raised a lot of eyebrows, more so coming after the questionable transfer of Capa to another post. Why berate the officer for expressing his sentiments to the media? Is this not a free country? Must those in the police and military just absorb any act of injustice done to them and suffer in silence?
Just like in Philippine Military Academy cadet Aldrin Jeff Cudia’s case, President Aquino once again showed his seeming inability to feel for the person aggrieved and to recognize the injustice done.
—THERESA PILI-NISPEROS,
Juan Luna Street,
Gagalangin, Tondo, Manila