Wednesday, August 29, 2007 3 tourism cops face charges for simple neglect of duty
FOR failing to report to their posts, three tourist cops are facing complaints for simple neglect of duty.
Acting Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) Director Patrocinio Comendador approved the recommendation of the Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Bureau (CIIB) to charge PO3 Rodacito Naval, SPO1 Enrique Teves and PO1 Mark Anthony Manlosa for the offense.
Naval, Teves and Manlosa, who were assigned at the Magellan’s Cross, were not in their posts when a robbery group robbed a Metrobank pick-up teller of P2.7 million she had just collected from La Nueva Supermart.
The store is across Magellan’s Cross and Cebu City Hall last Aug. 13.
Chief Insp. Pedrillo Villamor and five other policemen from the Waterfront Police Station were cleared after the CIIB found no basis to include them in the charges.
Villamor, Comendador said, was able to submit documents showing the proper deployment of beat patrols and tourist cops, which was then under the supervision of the Waterfront Police Station.
Tourist cops are now directly under the office of Comendador under the supervision of Senior Insp. Ryan Devaras.
In Mandaue City, the police office is reshuffling its leaders so junior officers can lead the six stations.
Senior Supt. Alexander Abadinas, Mandaue City Police Office director, said he wants men who are still willing to work and to prove themselves, unlike most of the current stations chiefs who have grown lethargic because of their familiarity with the job.
He said majority of the current station chiefs are in their posts for over two years already.
“The station chiefs have been in their posts long enough. We need policemen in their place who are young and eager to get things done,” Abadinas said.
Penalty
Meanwhile, Comenda-dor said that during the robbery last Aug. 13, Naval was doing an errand at the AFP Savings and Loans Association Inc., while Teves was at the motorpool at the South Road Properties to have his motorcycle fixed.
Manlosa, on the other hand, did not report to his post because he had just been assigned to the night watch patrol.
Comendador said he approved the recommendation last Friday.
A summary hearing officer will be designated to handle the case of the three policemen, he said.
Comendador said a maximum penalty of 30 days suspension may be imposed against the three if they will be found guilty of the offense.
For his part, Abadinas said he will replace Senior Insp. Abraham Ocampo of Station 1 with Senior Insp. Siegfred Toribio, who is currently handling Station 3.
Abadinas said that although Ocampo is a good officer, he has not properly supervised his men. That is aside from numerous robbery incidents in the past months that happened in his jurisdiction.
The most recent was the robbery of Penbank Ibabao Branch on SB Cabahug St. last Wednesday. The robbers carted away P2.5 million cash.
The lone security guard was not able to do anything as he allegedly took a toilet break when two men armed with .45 pistols entered the bank.
Abadinas said that while fraternity group clashes decreased by 24.3 percent, crimes against persons have remained the most serious problem in the city.
He especially mentioned the fraternity conflicts, which he termed gang wars. He said he does not want to use the word fraternity because members are not acting according what a fraternity is supposed to stand for.
“They are not deserving (of the word fraternity). They are always creating trouble,” he said.
He plans to impose a 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew for those below 16 years old, and a 12 a.m. to 4 a.m. curfew for those ages 16 and above.
But this has yet to have the City Council’s approval.
He said that based on MCPO’s crime clock, gang war-related incidents happen after 12 a.m.
Abadinas said those who go out for work or business or on night shift duties can ask for exemptions from the city. (JST/RHM)
