By ERWIN ‘AMBO’ DELILAN
I DON’T personally know Police Brigadier General Jack Wanky. I heard he was recently installed as the new police director for Western Visayas.
But most of my colleagues in the media here in Bacolod City know him well. They find him media-friendly but “controversial” during his stint as director of the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) way back in 2017.
Wanky served BCPO for only seven months. He left the “City of Smiles” at the height of the MassKara Festival in 2017.
The rest is history.
LIKE BARIAS
Aha! I met Wanky at the Senate hall in Pasay City on Tuesday, March 5.
First look: I would say he has a lighter personality. No wonderhe’s known for being media-savvy.
He has a semblance of retired Police General Geary Barias – in height, aura, and perhaps amenable character.
Barias is known in Negros and Panay because he used to lead the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO) and later became the director of the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6).
With his lighter personality coupled with a sustainably-driven smile, I can say that, like Barias, Wanky is also destined to hurdle the “challenges” besetting the PRO-6.
‘NO SPOX’
Announcing that he’s open to media interviews anytime, anywhere made Wanky more than “a good gentleman and a police officer with finesse”, perhaps. More so that he answers even phone-in questions from the media. He’s okay with the “no spox” set up. He is like BCPO director, Colonel Noel Aliño, who is always “game” with media interviews.
I wish newly-assumed NOCCPO director, Colonel Rainerio de Chavez, will follow Wanky and Aliño – not to depend on spokespersons.
Being (always) available for media interviews makes both Wanky and Aliño truly “praisable”.
‘MOONLIGHTING’
Anyway, speaking of Wanky, I am a bit intrigued with his latest pronouncement, cautioning the more than 12,000 policemen in Western Visayas against “moonlighting”.
Candidly, he told me over the phone that in his first 20 days in office as PRO-6 director, he already heard about certain policemen in Panay and Negros doing “moonlighting” – some as “bodyguards” of very important persons (VIPs or VIPs) and/or influential politicos.
Worse, Wanky said, there also cops serving as “nannies” of pet dogs and cats of “crazy rich” Ilonggos and Negrosanons.
For Wanky this must be stopped. Now. Under his watch, he stressed, PRO-6 cops must cease from “moonlighting”.
“Moonlighting” is specified as among the violations in the 1960’s Republic Act 3019 otherwise known as the anti-graft and corrupt practices law.
Wanky, however, stressed that if policemen really wanted to be “bodyguards” for someone private, they have to secure permission from the Police Security and Protection Group (PSPG). As simple as that.
But sans PSPG permit, no policeman/woman is allowed to serve as “bodyguards” for individuals, including incumbent politicians.
‘EMOTIVE WARNING’
Points are taken, and I do admire Wanky for this. More so when Aliño made an addendum that “moonlighting” is really against the professional and ethical standard of policemen.”
Hence, the BCPO top cop stresses, “moonlighting” is illegal in all angles.
However, is Wanky’s order re: “moonlighting” acceptable to all policemen in the region?
Might be. But not absolute may be, right?
Yes, with policemen now having a “big salary”, it’s inapt for them to engage in “moonlighting”. But again, it depends upon the economic standing of every policeman.
That’s why the term “moonlighting” could be a bit “crunchy” for Wanky. He really has to show “teeth” on this.
In sum, I like and love Wanky’s candor. I wish to interview him in person no holds barred.
Hoping and praying, too, that Wanky won’t become a “hunky-punky” or will resort to “hanky-panky” operations at PRO-6. It ain’t good for him to be branded as “wacky”./PN
