Friday, March 23, 2007 Policeman told: Hit the streets
THE traffic policeman who was accused of extorting P60 from two minors has been ordered relieved and assigned to do beat patrols, acting Cebu City Police Office Director Patrocinio Comendador said.
Instead of transferring PO3 Edgar Friolanita to the Security and Service Group, normally done when a policeman is facing an administrative investigation, Comendador said that Friolanita will augment the other policemen presently assigned in the streets to sustain police visibility.
The Internal Affairs Service is investigating Friolanita to verify the allegation.
A criminal case may also be filed against Friolanita if the complainants decide to pursue their plan.
Friolanita refused to comment when approached by reporters. He said he will issue his comment only to the investigators.
Comendador said Friolanita’s alleged extortion, irrelevant of the amount, constitutes a serious irregularity under the Anti-graft and Corrupt Practices Law.
If proven guilty, Comendador said, Friolanita may be dismissed from the service.
Friolanita was investigated after two minors, who happened to be related to Vice Control Section Chief George Ylanan, complained against him for allegedly taking P60 from them during a checkpoint operation in Happy Valley Subdivision along V. Rama St., Cebu City last Monday.
The complainants, who were on board a motorcycle, were flagged down by the traffic policeman to check if the vehicle they were riding had the necessary documents. (JST)
