CPPO rids itself of police scalawags

TWO police officials of the Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO), who reportedly protected drug personalities, have been transferred outside Cebu.

Also, more than 10 cops, who allegedly accepted payola from drug pushers and protected them, will be relieved.

Two of these officers reportedly sold shabu in their respective areas, according to CPPO Director Senior Supt. Clifford Gairanod.

The list was endorsed to Police Regional Office 7 Acting Director Chief Supt. Noli Taliño.

Gairanod refused to identify these officers, saying they are still being investigated.

He said the names of the two police officials were on the receipts of money-transfer firms seized from the house of arrested drug pushers in two municipalities in northern Cebu.

Gairanod said most of the erring personnel are non-commissioned officers, holding ranks of Police Officer 1 to Police Officer 3. They will be subjected to a lifestyle check because some of them reportedly own luxurious houses and several cars.

Validation

“I have my own list and I’ve had it for awhile. So does the Provincial Intelligence Branch,” he told reporters yesterday.

Gairanod met with the chief and operatives of PIB to validate the names of these officers involved in the illegal drug trade.

He said he wants to determine who are the protectors and who accept bribes, who do both.

Some of these cops reportedly receive bribes from drug pushers every week and they employ civilians as their bag men.

Yesterday, Toledo City Police Station Chief Fructuoso Lim and Deputy Chief Rico Emperwa were relieved from their posts, following the complaints of Mayor John Henry “Sonny” Osmeña that the city police force lacked the drive to go after drug pushers.

Gairanod said he appointed Supt. Samuel Mina as officer-in-charge, adding that he needs to get clearance from Taliño before Mina can be named as full-time chief.

Gairanod said they are also in the process of coming up with lists of police officers for mayors who want new police chiefs.