DPS firefighter who refused lie detector test resigns

The Department of Public Safety personnel who refused to undergo a lie detector test in connection with the investigation into the disappearance of sisters Faloma and Maleina Luhk has resigned effective July 1, DPS Commissioner Ramon Mafnas disclosed yesterday.

As this developed, DPS assured protection to anyone who will come forward and offer information. Investigators are also planning to conduct another aerial search.

In a press briefing held at the Department of Corrections’ conference room, Mafnas said the personnel who declined the polygraph test officially resigned as a firefighter and that he had accepted the resignation.

Mafnas stressed that this employee has every right to refuse to take the polygraph examination.

“It would be nice if everyone that we ask agrees to take the polygraph examination. Those, however, who refused we do question why the refusal,” Mafnas said.

Refusing to take the polygraph examination, however, does not indicate guilt, he added.

Mafnas refused to disclose the reason cited by the firefighter in resigning from DPS, saying it’s a private matter.

He said they spoke with the firefighter about the Luhk sisters’ case not once but at least twice.

“We have to be cautious. We need to have evidence,” the commissioner said.

Right now, Mafnas said, they don’t have any evidence to support any person of interest as being a participant in this case, which he described as a “heinous crime.”

Mafnas admitted that no one has stepped forward and declared or claimed to have seen anything.

He guaranteed protection for anyone who would like to step forward and promised to keep their identities private.

Mafnas said he and FBI special agent Tom Simon share the same concerns and message—that they understand the community’s concern and interest in this matter.

“We ask for their cooperation and assistance as much as we want. We want to gather as much information or any significant evidence that tie to the person or persons of interest,” Mafnas said.

He said they will continue to perform searches upon request by the FBI or DPS investigators.

Mafnas said they will be conducting another aerial search but admitted that he does now know how much benefit they can derive from another aerial search.

“Regardless of the time gone by, we continue to feel strongly about pursuing this case,” he said “We assure the community that the moment we have sufficient evidence we will act promptly.”

Police officer Jason Tarkong said they are focusing on the investigation, but that they will not discuss the evidence or strategy associated with the investigation. He said search areas are very much part of this investigative process.

“We continue to urge the public to step forward if they have any information. One of our many goals in this investigation is to protect witnesses and keep their identity anonymous,” he said.

Ten-year-old Faloma and 9-year-old Maleina were reportedly last seen near a bus stop pavilion in As Teo on May 25.