PNP pleased with passage of proposed restoration of subpoena powers to the PNP-CIDG
MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine National Police (PNP) sees the passage of a proposed law in the Lower House of Congress which seeks to bring back subpoena powers to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), the investigating body of the PNP, as a huge help to the organization.
According to PNP-CIDG Chief P/Dir. Roel Obusan, the pace of their investigation of cases will become faster once they are given the power to issue a subpoena.
“More than happy. This is an organizational advancement for CIDG. We are looking forward to a better and faster investigative process in CIDG and the PNP as a whole… thanks to our legislators,” Obusan said.
CIDG National Capital Region Director PS/Supt. Wilson Asueta said that through the said law, it will be easier for them to retrieve necessary documents or even copies of CCTV footages.
“We can easily ask documentary evidence from concern individuals and entities so we can have it and use in the filing of cases,” Asueta said.
The CIDG said they are having difficulty investigating as they can retrieve limited information only that could serve as evidence.
“We cannot force them to produce documents to appear before us, so a mere invitation only, voluntary basis only,” Asueta said.
The chief of the CIDG, meanwhile, assured the public that they will not abuse their subpoena powers.
“It will not be abused. A subpoena can be checked, the person can consult lawyers and other learned individuals. It will not supplant rights of the people. In fact, this can lessen conduct of search warrants,” Obusan said.
Of all law enforcement bodies in the country, only the PNP has no power to issue subpoena unlike the national bureau of investigation, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, and the Department of Justice.
This is why, the CIDG said, giving them the said power would help in the immediate resolution of the cases they are investigating.
The proposal giving the CIDG subpoena powers was passed in the Senate last January. – Lea Ylagan | UNTV News & Rescue