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Tuesday, September 23, 2003
3 traffic cops caught drinking in nightspot
By Ernie N. Olson Jr.
THREE personnel of the PNP Traffic Management Group (PNP-TMG) based in Tuba, Benguet were caught red-handed inside a videoke bar along the Aspiras-Palispis (formerly Marcos) Highway late Wednesday night, in clear violation of the PNP's Oplan: Bakal and prohibition on drinking in public places.
Chief Supt. Victor Luga, director of the Police Regional Office in the Cordilleras (PRO-CAR), issued a memorandum for all police directors and station chiefs regionwide to lead in the conduct of unannounced inspections inside all nightclubs, beer joints, disco pubs and other nightspots to check on possible violations.
The three erring policemen were identified Monday in a report to Supt. Francisco Manalo Jr., Baguio City Police Office director, as PO3 Ricardo Quintero de Dios, PO2 Freddie Valle and PO1 Almario Baguilat.
"Around 10:30 p.m. September 17, the trio were found drinking inside the establishment by members of this station. They were eventually brought to this office for documentation of their offense and were subsequently released," reported Senior Insp. Bobby Glen Ganipac, BCPO Station 5 chief.
Ganipac said he also recommended that the three policemen be charged administratively for their alleged violations of the stated PNP directives.
He explained that the implementation of the Oplan and prohibition orders were carried out not only in the said establishment, but also in other establishments like the Sundown Bar, Cactus Bar, Discovery Disco, Luau Bar & Restaurant, JRM Queen Disco, Paragus Disco, Johana's Disco and Club Anastacio.
In his memorandum effective last September 15, Luga revealed that he observed that there were some incidents that took place in nightspots involving PNP personnel.
"In many instances, these personnel were (found to be) carrying firearms, (and) these are gross violations of existing rules on the matter which must be checked and stopped," the memorandum stated.
Luga said all provincial and city directors were directed to lead in the conduct of spot inspections inside all nightspots within their respective areas of responsibility.
"Require all unit and station commanders to conduct the same in their respective AORs and to seriously implement Oplan: Bakal and the said prohibition for PNP personnel," he ordered.
However, Luga also instructed all unit and station chiefs who will be conducting these operations to be in proper uniform, to use marked police vehicles, and to undertake the same in a courteous but firm and professional manner as a precaution.
He mandated that all police directors should undertake these operations as a continuing activity.
"Appropriate charges must also be filed against anyone, including PNP personnel, for violation of rules on carrying of firearms, giving emphasis on on the doctrine of command responsibility (and) maximum media mileage," Luga added.
(September 23, 2003 issue)
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