Sunday, August 15, 2004 PNP fires 3 cops found positive of drug use By Maricar Aranas and Nilo Abellon
CAMP FERNANDEZ, Sibulan -- The Regional Command of the Philippine National Police (PNP) based in Cebu City ordered the dismissal of three policemen assigned with the 705th Provincial Mobile Group after laboratory tests found them positive of drugs use.
Ordered dismissed from the service effective August 3, 2004 were Police Officers 3 Crisologo M. Polancos and Gerry D. Kho and Senior Police Officer 1 Alberto Bilingan.
The three were found positive of prohibited drugs use following the surprise drugs test the PNP Regional Command conducted a few months ago.
Provincial PNP director Marciano del Mar confirmed receiving Wednesday the separate dismissal orders resulting from the findings that the three men were liable of the administrative charges for grave misconduct linked to the use of prohibited drugs.
However, the three policemen can still appeal their case for review before the Appellate Court.
Del Mar hoped the fate of the three officers would serve as a lesson for others and their dismissal showed that the PNP does not tolerate misconduct among its ranks.
He admitted the development will give additional negative public impression on the image of the police.
On the other hand, del Mar believes the dismissal will send a strong message to the public that the PNP is serious in its campaign against prohibited drugs.
Meanwhile Director Ruben Cabagnot, Deputy Inspector General of the PNP national command in Camp Crame, challenged all policemen in Negros Oriental to change the bad image of the members of the police force.
Cabagnot issued the challenge to police chiefs at a briefing last week in Camp Fernandez during the formal conclusion of the annual general inspection of police stations throughout the province.
The deputy inspector-general said policemen must deliver good performances not only during each annual general inspection but every day.
He said his objective is to eliminate the public's perception of the so-called Abakada image of the police.
Abakada stands for abusado, bastos, kotongero and di kanais-nais.
Del Mar said he is 95 percent optimistic that the PNP provincial command will maintain its honor as the Best PNP Provincial Office in Region 7.
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