8 policemen facing probe over allegations they collect money from a fair

EIGHT members of the PNP Mobile Patrol Group (MPG) are under investigation for allegedly collecting money from an operator of a fair in Barangay Busay earlier this week.

MPG Chief David Señor said the eight policemen have been directed to explain their actions at the fair, which were caught on amateur video.

The video showed a mobile patrol service vehicle arriving at the fair in Barangay Busay. A staff at the fair approached the police vehicle and handed over something to the policemen.

The names of the policemen are withheld pending the completion of the investigation.

Police Regional Office 7 Director Marcelo Garbo Jr. said that if found guilty, the eight MPG men will be transferred, suspended or dismissed.

Vehicles

Señor said they learned that four MPG vehicles have been to the fair every night, allegedly to collect money.

Each MPG service vehicle have two policemen so eight members of the MPG may be involved, said Señor.

Señor said the written explanations of the eight policemen will be forwarded to Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) Officer-in-Charge Mariano Natuel.

He said the case may be forwarded to the Investigation and Detection Management Branch, which will conduct further investigation.

Natuel said he will base his decision on the full investigation report and the explanation of the eight policemen.

Garbo said the PNP will not tolerate corruption as it damages the image of the organization.

Depending on the result of the investigation, he said, the eight may be transferred to as far as Siquijor Province.

“That would make their life miserable. Mahihirapan sila sa pag-balik-balik dito sa Cebu (They will find it difficult to come to Cebu),” he said in a press briefing.

Garbo instructed Senior Supt. Orlando Ualat, chief of the PRO 7 Directorial Staff, to study the case against the eight MPG members and come up with a decision before the start of the election period on Jan. 13.