Wednesday, March 07, 2007 'Heads to roll' over kotong video By Ben O. Tesiorna
HEADS will definitely roll as a result of the exposes made by a local television news team wherein Philippine National Police personnel from Davao del Norte to Davao City were seen receiving bribes from a helper of a truck carrying logs from Agusan.
A video footage taken by ABS-CBN Davao showed 10 police outpost personnel posted along the national highways receiving bribe money from the truck helper.
Even the Traffic Mobile Group and the Davao City Police Office mobile patrol were seen receiving bribe.
A Task Force Davao soldier posted at the Tibungco checkpoint was also caught on video receiving money from the same truck helper.
In the ABS-CBN report, the log transporter allegedly allot more than P4,000 as bribe for the cops in every trip. This, despite the fact that the logs have all the pertinent papers from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
The cargo was loaded with legally cut falcata to be delivered to the C. Alcantara and Sons for processing into plywood.
DCPO director Jaime Morente immediately ordered an investigation and for the restriction of those caught in the video receiving bribe money.
He said they will first review and identify the cops involved before taking appropriate action and investigation.
"I have directed the chief of Mobile Patrol Group to identify those on duty that time and exclude them from detail to man the patrol vehicles starting today (Monday)," Morente said.
Task Force Davao commander Colonel Allan Luga ordered his men to arrest anyone who gives bribe and impound their vehicles and cargoes.
Luga said they will file bribery charges against civilians who give money to his men but did not say what action he would do to his erring soldier.
City Administrator Wendel Avisado vowed to dismiss the mobile patrol drivers who are contractual employees of the City Government.
Avisado said the erring drivers should have been the "eyes and ears" of the City Government in the police operation.
"But they have connived instead in collecting bribe money. They can never claim they were just forced to do it," Avisado said.
This is the second expose made by ABS-CBN Davao this year that involve police scalawags, first was the Buhangin illegal gambling operation where a cop inside the mobile patrol was also caught on video receiving money from a civilian as protection money.
ABS-CBN Davao news manager Art Bonjoc Jr. said their expose was an offshoot of a complaint they received from their viewers.
"We thank the bravery of our sources in cooperating with us to expose kotong cops. We will be here for the people as we continue our pursuit for truth," Bonjoc said.
Mayor Rodrigo Duterte has long been warning corrupt cops to reform or face his wrath.
The mayor however has not yet given any statement with regards to the latest controversy since he is in Manila.
