PHILIPPINE National Police Highway Patrol Group director Brigadier General Clifford B. Gairanod on Tuesday voluntarily left his post pending an investigation into an incident in which his son who also happened to be a PNP-HPG officer was seen on video pinning with force an HPG Rider’s Badge at the chest of his underclassman.

““I want to thank you Sir for the given opportunity to serve you as your Director , HPG for most of your stint as CPNP. As a good soldier , I take full responsibility for the unfortunate incident that transpired during the recent graduation of the EMRC (Executive Motorcycle Riding Class). \

I volunteered to leave my post pending an investigation of the said issue. I have already relieved my son and the entire training team.

Likewise, I ordered for the conduct of an investigation in order to determine the possible violation/s committed by the HPG personnel involved in the said incident,” Brig. Gen. Gairanod, a member of PNP Academy Class 1993 said.

Colonel Jay R. Cumigad, a member of PNPA Class 1995 and erstwhile Deputy Regional Director for Administration of the Police Regional Office 3 in Central Luzon was designated as Acting Director of the PNP-HPG.

The order was signed by Brig. Gen. Mattew P. Baccay, the PNP Deputy Director for Personnel and Records Management and current Officer-in-Charge of the unit.

Many officials lauded Brig. Gen. Gairanod’s move saying he showed what really an officer and a gentleman he is with his decision to voluntarily leave his post out of delicadeza in the aftermath of the unfortunate incident.

Gairanod has been doing very well as PNP-HPG director until a video taken and uploaded without consent by a still unidentified person went viral.

The video showed the young Gairanod, also a PNPA graduate playfully pinning the Rider’s Badge to the chest of his underclassman who went public to say that he was not hurt in the incident.

The underclassman from the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology also called on his fellows and the public not to pass judgment to the young Gairanod and put a stop to all kinds of speculations that would be detrimental to their respective organizations and their Alma Mater.

“We’re sad because a good officer volunteered to leave his post because of the fault of his son. Isang biruan na malungkot ang katapusan.” said an official close to Gairanod.

An investigation is now underway to determine the person who leaked the 34-second video without the consent of the two PNPA graduates.

It is being seen as a punishable offense since the posting of the video in the social media was unauthorized.

Brig. Gen. Gairanod said he was surprised to find out that the man pinning the HPG Rider’s Badge to another person was his son. He said that shortly after he made the discovery, he ordered the administrative relief and investigation of his own son and other members of the HPG training team.

“Again, thank you Sir for the opportunity to serve as the Director, HPG under your leadership. I know I did well in all the accomplishments that the HPG had during your stint as Chief,PNP,” said the official.

Many PNP officials, including those from the PNP-HPG and the Rider’s Community described Brig. Gen. Gairanod was a very kind and professional officer.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Alfred P. Dalizon