ACTING Pangasinan Police Provincial Office (PPO) Director Wilson Lopez has assured Pangasinenses that not a single cop from the province is among the 1,000 alleged drug-involved rogue policemen nationwide.
Lopez's statement came after Philippine National Police (PNA) Director General Oscar Albayalde disclosed last week the existence of scoundrels in the PNP’s ranks and the plans to cleanse them.
“I can assure you that no policeman in the province is involved in any illegal activities,” said Lopez in an interview on Monday, August 6.
Chiefs of police (COP) in the province provide continuous activities, such as surprise drug testing and Bible studies as well, to constantly check and monitor the members of Pangasinan Police, he added.
“The COPs are heavily accountable with the misdeeds of their personnel, be it minor or otherwise. Which is why they constantly keep a watchful eye on them,” Lopez added.
He also cited the severe punishments that wayward policemen will face if they are caught in nightclubs, cockpits, and similar establishments where no lawman should be seen.
“The policemen should be prime examples of obeisance to the law. We should keep this in mind in order to keep the PNP’s badge clean and respected,” the acting provincial director said.
Meanwhile, Lopez supported Police Regional Office-Ilocos Director Romulo Sapitula’s statement that there would be more chiefs of police to be sacked in Pangasinan if they show signs of "underperformance."
He said police chiefs were advised to “show their best” to combat illegal drugs and criminality in their areas of responsibility to avoid being relieved.
Sapitula ordered the dismissal of 13 police chiefs in the region on July 31 because of poor performance. (PNA)