THE Malay town police chief is in hot water after a resident filed a complaint against him for allegedly asking favors from businessmen in Boracay Island.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Don Dicksie De Dios, Malay Police Station chief, told SunStar in an interview that the complaint was filed against him in November 2021. The complaint was brought to the media only recently.
"I learned that the undisclosed complaint was filed to the Regional Internal Affairs at Camp Delgado, Iloilo. I deny the accusations and I let the investigation commence to decide the merits of the case," De Dios said.
Circulating messages from anonymous sources revealed that De Dios and his family are staying in a hotel in Boracay for free for a year already.
De Dios also reportedly sought favors from other businessmen, including food for his family and for police personnel.
"I was complained to because I am strict in my fulfillment of duties especially on matters concerning Covid-19 health protocols and illegal drugs," De Dios said.
He said he and the Municipal Health Office have been coordinating with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency to make Boracay and Malay drug-free tourism destinations.
De Dios is from Metro Manila but he was assigned to Boracay in the first quarter of 2021, as the Covid-19 pandemic has started to affect the island.
Aklan Police Provincial Office Director Crisaleo Tolentino, in a radio interview, defended De Dios, saying some of those involved have denied the accusations against the police chief.
"We have conducted our own investigation. We have interviewed those who are concerned with the case, including the resort owner and other stakeholders and they all deny the accusations against De Dios," Tolentino said. (SunStar Philippines)