Thursday, April 26, 2007 City cops undergo drug test
NINETY-THREE policemen from the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) underwent a surprise drug test yesterday afternoon.
The examination came during a command conference that Acting CCPO Director Patrocinio Comendador called for all members of miscellaneous teams and operatives of special units.
The conference was called after the recent alleged involvement of four policemen, two of them arrested in separate operations conducted by Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) 7 operatives and agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) 7 last Sunday and Monday.
Comendador also laid down new guidelines in conducting anti-illegal drug operations and the dress code of members of the miscellaneous teams.
Embarrassing
“Let us change ourselves. In a span of one day, four policemen, two of them arrested, were involved in illegal activities. Makauuwaw. Malooy ta sa atong uniporme. Malooy ta sa atong pamilya (It’s embarrassing. We should restore dignity to our uniforms. We should pity our families),” he told the miscellaneous teams and operatives from the Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Bureau, Vice Control Section and Drug Enforcement Unit who attended the command conference.
PO2 Manuelito Anore of the Security and Service Group was arrested for allegedly escorting drug suspect Marlon Sabayton in a buy-bust operation conducted by PDEA. PO1 Joseph Dagatan of the Mobile Patrol Group, who was with Anore, eluded arrest.
SPO1 Fernando Velarde, a miscellaneous team member of the Waterfront Police Station, was arrested by NBI 7 agents in an entrapment for allegedly extorting P20,000 cash from a mother of a suspected drug peddler.
PO1 Francisco Macalino, who was assigned at the Waterfront Police Station for his field training program, was also arrested during the operation. Macalino is directly under the supervision of the Regional Training School (RTS) 7.
Another policeman from the Waterfront Police Station, PO1 Ryan Gerosa, was not arrested during the operation but was impleaded in the complaint filed by the NBI 7.
Comendador complained that while the CCPO has so far been successful in its anti-criminality campaign, as indicated in the decrease in crime statistics and increase in crime solution efficiency for the first quarter of this year, it is embarrassing to note that policemen are in the limelight not for their achievement but for links to alleged illegal activities.
Comendador, to set an example, was the first to line up for the drug test conducted by the PNP 7 Crime Laboratory.
Starting today, Comendador said, all miscellaneous team members are required to wear general office attire or the blue uniform even during anti-illegal drug operations.
In doing undercover operations, miscellaneous teams will have to seek clearances from their respective station commanders and from Comendador.
A pre-operational plan should also be strictly followed and proper coordination with the PDEA will also be made before any operation.
Comendador also warned miscellaneous teams from initiating “cross-border operations” or conducting anti-illegal drug operations beyond their areas of jurisdiction and resorting to downgrading of drug cases in exchange for monetary consideration.
Warning
“Anybody caught operating outside their area of responsibilities will be dealt with. Step up the campaign against illegal drugs. Focus on buy-bust. Kanang Section 11 (possession of shabu under the Comprehensive Anti-Illegal Drugs Law or Republic Act 9165) usik-usik lang na sa papel (a waste of paper). We mean business here. Help me achieve this,” Comendador said.
Comendador said the Drug Enforcement Unit will track down the case records of suspects arrested for drug possession.
The arresting officers will be made to explain the circumstances that led to the arrest of the suspects to determine if the offense is possession or selling. (JST)
