THE Cebu Police Provincial Office (CPPO) has called the attention of 10 chiefs of police about their poor performance in the campaigns against illegal drugs and illegal gambling.
Colonel Rommel Ochave, CPPO officer-in-charge, has ordered them to intensify their operations, according to Lieutenant Colonel Mark Gifter Sucalit, deputy director for operation of the CPPO.
Sucalit pointed out that Governor Gwendolyn Garcia earlier declared an all-out-war against illegal drugs, saying the CPPO should do the same.
“Ten stations where being called by me personally. We just had our coordinating conference yesterday and we directed them. We told them about our plans and programs that will help them go forward and really improve their deficiencies,” Sucalit said in a mix of Tagalog and English during a command conference on Tuesday, October 4, 2022.
Although the police official did not identify the 10 police stations, he said he already ordered their chiefs to double their efforts.
“All the COPs (chiefs of police) are accountable for the actions of their men. If they are not producing what is mandated by our superiors, of course, they will face many sanctions. We will replace incompetent COPs with officers who are more eager to really serve their constituents,” Sucalit said in a mix of Tagalog and English.
Sucalit said the CPPO has been closely monitoring cohorts of big drug personalities who have been killed and arrested in the past years.
He said illegal drugs continue to be smuggled into Cebu Island despite their efforts.
On Tuesday morning, Ochave visited the Talisay City Police Station for an inspection.
He told members of the media that he wanted to know what the station’s personnel had been doing to combat criminality in the city.
He praised Lieutenant Colonel Randy Caballes, station chief, for having good relations with Mayor Gerald Anthony “Samsam” Gullas Jr. and the village chiefs of the 22 barangays in the city, which the CPPO official attributed to the station personnel’s successful enforcement of the law to maintain peace and order.
Ochave urged the station’s personnel to avoid getting involved in illegal activities.
He also reminded police officers to wear proper uniforms so the public would see that they are serious in their jobs.
The CPPO official has embarked on a tour around Cebu Province to check the performance of different police stations in the war against criminality, particularly against illegal drugs. (AYB, BBT, PJB)