Thursday, November 08, 2007 Cops warned v. receiving Christmas gifts By Reynaldo G. Navales
MABALACAT -- The Pampanga police have warned its men regarding the law on the prohibition of accepting gifts or soliciting favors from the public this Christmas season.
Police Provincial Director Keith Ernald Singian said any police personnel found soliciting in any form of cash, gifts or other personal favors from the public will be held liable.
“They will land in hot water as they will be liable for extortion,” Singian said.
This is in line with the directive of the Philippine National Police (PNP) national headquarters on the implementation of Presidential Decree (PD) 46 stating that it is punishable for public officials and employees to receive gifts on any occasion including Christmas.
Singian stated that members of the police force should be conscious of the gifts they accept during the Yuletide season.
He said the law stipulates a charge of either direct or indirect bribery on police officers receiving gifts because of his office or performance of his official duties.
Corruption of public official will also be filed against individuals who tend to extend gifts to policemen.
“In order to ensure that there will be no strings attached, the acceptance of gifts must be discouraged. As public servants, police officers should perform their duties without expecting anything in return,” Singian said.
Traffic policemen are prone to extortion cases, according to him.
Singian earlier issued an memorandum directing chiefs of police in the province to implement the order of Police Regional Office (PRO) 3 Director Errol Pan against “kotong cops” stationed checkpoints.
Senior Inspector Maylanie Castillo, Pampanga police information officer, said the provincial police force has alerted its men especially now that people are preparing for the Christmas rush.
“The provincial police have intensified its drive against street crimes and other forms of robberies including pickpocketing, snatching and others,” she said, adding that police officers are dispatched in malls, commercial establishments and other areas.
Pampanga is home to major malls like Robinsons Starmills, SM City and others.
