ILOILO City – One hundred forty-three police officers in Western Visayas have been slapped with administrative complaints.
The charges are currently being evaluated by the Regional Internal Affairs Service of the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6).
Most of the respondents were police non-commissioned officers (PNCOs) and the complaints mostly involved neglect of duty, said Chief Inspector Joem Malong, PRO-6 spokesperson.
“These PNCOs have ranks from Police Officer 1 to Police Officer 3,” added Malong.
The complaints do not necessarily mirror the true state of the police organization, she stressed.
“These won’t tarnish the Philippine National Police. Some of these policemen would likely be able to defend themselves and clear their names,” said Malong.
Due process would be observed, she added.
PRO-6 director Chief Superintendent Cesar Hawthorne Binag had time and again reminded his men to focus on their tasks.
“Malaki na ang sahod ng pulis so there is no reason na hindi kayo maka-perform nang maayos. We are recognizing police personnel who are doing well but penalize those who are lazy. This is part of our internal cleansing,” said Binag.
He warns his men to stay away from illegal activities such as drug trafficking, illegal gambling, and moonlighting.
In Manila, news Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Oscar Albayalde said he was keen on retaining the organization’s Counter Intelligence Task Force (CITF) which goes after rogue policemen, and may even expand it.
“The CITF will definitely remain. If needed, we will expand it and complement it with all the counterintelligence units of the PNP,” Albayalde told reporters.
The CITF, led by Senior Superintendent Jose Chiquito Malayo, was formed by former PNP chief Ronald Dela Rosa early during his term.
It draws members from the Special Action Force and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.
CITF was formed shortly after the involvement of policemen in the killing of Korean businessman Jee Ick-joo.
“Meron kaming existing CI (counterintelligence) divisions and sections down to the provincial level. These CI personnel, they have to do their job. They are the ones actually on watch here, especially those coming from the Intelligence Group,” Albayalde said./PN
