Undersecretary Puno declines comment

MANILA, Philippines – Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Undersecretary Rico Puno and several police officers allegedly tried to enter the condominium unit of DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo in Quezon City last August 19, a day after his plane crashed in Masbate, according to sources of ABS-CBN News.

Confidential documents are stored in Robredo's condo unit, which were later secured by the Department of Justice (DOJ).

Sources said a certain Supt. Oliver Tanseco was able to enter the penthouse of the condominium building while Puno and several others waited outside.

However, the group was not allowed to enter the unit by Robredo’s househelp.

Tanseco then called Robredo’s lawyer to ask permission, but the lawyer also turned them down because the group did not have a search warrant.

Based on the building’s security logbook, the group, composed of Tanseco, Puno, Sr. Supt. Joel Pagdilao and a certain Apollo Reuben Toganon, arrived at the condominium at 10:30 a.m.

Robredo’s househelp called Robredo’s wife, Atty. Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo, to inform her of Puno’s visit.

The call was confirmed by Social Welfare and Development Secretary Dinky Soliman, who was beside Atty. Leni when she received the call from the househelp.

Robredo's offices

The source said the group also tried to enter Robredo’s offices at the DILG and at the National Police Commission (Napolcom).

Based on the logbook at Napolcom, the group arrived at around 11 a.m.

“Noong pumunta si Usec. Puno, pinigil, kaya tumawag sa akin. Hindi naman alam ng guwardiya kung bakit nagpunta doon si Usec. Puno,” said Napolcom vice chair Eduardo Escueta.

Securing the documents

The source said the incident prompted President Aquino to secure documents stored inside the offices of Robredo.

The DOJ then secured the classified documents kept by Robredo inside his condo unit.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima earlier said she personally picked up the “personal and official documents,” per the request of Robredo’s wife.

"He handles many documents on important matters. We need to conduct inventory and preserve the records and documents in the office of Sec. Jesse, including those in his condominium. We need to know what these documents are because we're sure these are sensitive records," de Lima told reporters last month.

De Lima did not say what the documents are, noting only that they are “sensitive records.”

The source said Puno and several officials of the Philippine National Police are the subjects of an investigation being conducted by Robredo prior to the crash.

Two weeks before the crash, Robredo allegedly informed the President of the investigation.

ABS-CBN News tried to get the side of Puno regarding the matter but he declined.