IAS Inspector General suspended for 6 months over sexual harassment case

THE PNP has enforced the six-month suspension order against PNP Internal Affairs Service (IAS) Inspector General Alfegar Triambulo, who was suspended without pay by the Ombudsman over a sexual harassment case.

The PNP order, issued last December 1, was signed by PNP director personnel and records management chief Maj. Gen. Robert Rodriguez “by the command” of PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr.

“Atty. Alfegar Menchavez Triambulo, IAS, is hereby suspended for six months and one day effective December 1, 2023 to February 14, 2024,” the order read.

“Considering that Atty. Triambulo is retiring from the service on February 15 (2024), the remaining 106 days from February 15, 2024 to May 30, 2024 is converted into a fine and may be deducted from his retirement benefits, accrued leaves or any receivable from the PNP. The period of suspension shall be a gap in his length of service,” the order added.

Triambulo was named Inspector General of IAS in 2016 by President Duterte. Before his appointment, Triambulo was the acting regional director of the National Police Commission in the Davao region.

The Ombudsman issued an order last November 21 suspending Triambulo for six months in connection with the complaint of sexual harassment and safe spaces laws filed by IAS employee Genevieve Lipura in September last year.

The Ombudsman found Triambulo guilty of administrative charges of grave misconduct and gross incompetence but dismissed the criminal aspect of the complaint.

Lipura alleged she had 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 a salary grade of 9) from administrative officer (with a salary grade of 18). She said she felt insulted, demeaned and humiliated by the re-assignment.

She said she also received a memo for her supposed 116 absences from 2017 to 2020.
Lipura said she decided to meet with Triambulo at a Quezon City restaurant to discuss her plight.

During the meeting, Lipura said she told Triambulo that she wanted to be promoted to Chief, Administrative Officer (with a salary grade of 24). If the post is not available, she said she wants