Tuesday, May 22, 2007 Talisay chief explains slash in cops’ allowance
BOTHERED by reports of the alleged slashing of policemen’s meal allowance, Talisay City Police Station Chief Romeo Perigo yesterday held a conference to explain to his men how their election cash incentives were used.
Perigo called up a meeting following a report that he only gave P150 instead of the full P360 meal allowance.
Cebu Provincial Police Office Chief Carmelo Valmoria had told Sun.Star Cebu that each policeman was entitled to P120 per day as meal allowance for three days to cover election day and the canvassing period.
A source said they were surprised when Valmoria, who visited the Talisay PNP office last May 16, announced that their total allowance was P360 each.
To dispel any doubts, Perigo said he is willing to submit a complete accounting report to Valmoria, should the latter order him to do so.
Perigo admitted distributing P150 each to his men on May 14. He said the bulk of the money was used to buy food for policemen who were detailed at the canvassing area at Talisay City Hall.
The canvassing of votes in Talisay lasted for three days, from Tuesday to Thursday.
Perigo said the meal allowance was used to purchase barbecue, rice and lechon manok for lunch and dinner of the detailed policemen.
He added that another food purchase was made for a police team that escorted the election personnel to the Cebu Provincial Capitol in Cebu City on Thursday afternoon.
But a source who asked not to be named said the food purchases should only have been between P3,000 and P4,000, considering that it was only for lunch and dinner for two days.
The City Hall also reportedly provided packed meals to election officials, canvassers and policemen.
Since only P150 was handed to each policeman, the unreleased amount was P210 each or a total of P12,600. The Talisay PNP has 60 personnel.
“Where’s the remaining amount now?” the source asked. (GC)
