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Monday, November 17, 2003
Benatiro today: away from police, politics
By GARRY A. CABOTAJE
Sun.Star Staff Reporter
IT HAS been more than a year now since he hung his police uniform for good.
Senior Supt. Hiram Benatiro, whose remaining months in his PNP career was rocked by a “fabricated” report on a drug bribery case, feels vindicated when the PNP hierarchy approved his retirement in June last year.
The Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas also cleared him of allegations of a P1.8-million payoff in exchange for the release of an alleged member of the Hong Kong “Triad,” an international drug syndicate.
The anti-graft office considered the newspaper report (not Sun.Star Cebu) “merely hearsay” and that the accusations lacked evidence to indict the Cebuano police official.
“I’m happier than I was before. I’m enjoying every minute of my civilian life,” said the 56-year-old Benatiro yesterday.
Although he was unceremoniously stripped of his post as Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) director, many believed that Benatiro was a victim of intrigues within the PNP just to put him in a bad light.
Relieved
He was relieved from CCPO upon the recommendation of a five-man committee formed by former Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 chief Avelino Razon Jr. for being liable for command responsibility.
The relief drew flak from some quarters as they questioned the principle of command responsibility because Benatiro was not in Cebu when the CCPO’s anti-drug unit conducted the raid.
Even on the eve of his retirement date, Benatiro recalled that the five-man investigating panel summoned him to appear at the PRO 7 despite the ombudsman’s clearance.
Benefits
Although he got cleared, he was not reinstated to his post.
Because of this “pending” administrative case, Benatiro has not acquired yet some of the benefits from the PNP due for him, which include the monthly pension of over P20,000.
He only got his cash conversion of leave credits, the National Police Commission gratuity pay and the Napolcom’s refund of his heart operation in 2000.
“My friends told me that I should have been a good player (to enrich oneself in the service) when I became a ranking police official. But my only performance is my devotion to service,” he added.
Although he failed to get the star-rank, Benatiro has neither rancor nor frustration in his heart.
He remains proud that he had served Cebu City in what was considered the last “stop” of his colorful 34-year police career.
Since many still have high respect for him, Benatiro revealed that there have been offers now for him to run in next year’s polls, either in the provincial board or in his hometown in Daanbantayan.
But with the country’s present political system where money floods during elections, Benatiro seems reluctant to throw his hat in the political arena.
“Di ta basta-basta mo sawom dayon. What for, why do you have to spend money when your purpose is to serve the public?” he asked.
Benatiro hinted that the money spent for the elections can only be replaced if one succumbs to the system of corruption in the government.
(November 17, 2003 issue)
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