PNP promotions trigger protest

A group of concerned policemen are up in arms against the promotions of close aides and security escorts of Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Leandro Mendoza for last year’s May 1 bloody riot in Malacañang.

The protesting policemen claimed Mendoza’s men were in their respective air-conditioned offices in Camp Crame during the Malacañang siege and had nothing to do with crowd dispersal and management (CDM) operations against the attacking loyalists of jailed former President Estrada.

And worse, Mendoza’s men passed themselves off as members of the National Capital Regional Police Office (NCRPO) to avail of the May 1 promotions.

In a one page manifesto, the group calling themselves the "Aggrieved Policemen who are Always Willing to Defend the Constitution," asked President Arroyo to correct the mistake and promote those who "risked their lives and limbs" to defend her administration.

"When you visited us in Mendiola after we successfully drove away the rallyists last May 1, we were happy to learn that you cared for our safety. We expressed our happiness when you promised us our promotions as our reward for being loyal to your administration," said the manifesto distributed in various police headquarters in Metro Manila.

The cops said their jubilation turned to sadness when the PNP last March 19 released the names of some 108 policemen promoted for the May 1 rally and the names of Mendoza’s close aides and not theirs were among those in the list.

The protesting policemen said Arroyo cannot expect them to extend the same loyalty they showed her last May 1 if Estrada supporters become unruly when they celebrate the anniversary of their failed uprising they dubbed EDSA 3.

They told The STAR they will follow orders of their superiors, including dispersing the Estrada supporters, but would stay in the background instead of leading the charge.

The protesting policemen identified Mendoza’s close aides who were promoted to the next rank as Chief Inspectors Camilo Cascolan and Mario Ramos; Senior Inspector John Aleta and Eduardo Chico Jr., and SPO4’s Benjamin Liggayu and Alejandro Andrade.

Cascolan was Mendoza’s administrative officer while Ramos was assigned at the PNP band, Atela is Mendoza’s security officer, Chico is assigned at the Firearms and Explosive Division (FED), Liggayu at the base police and Andrade as the PNP chief’s motorcycle escort.

The STAR tried but failed to reach Mendoza for comment.

The promotions signed by Director Virtus Gil, the PNP’s Director For Personnel and Records Management (DPRM) promoted two police officers to Superintendents, six to Chief Inspectors, nine to Senior Inspectors, eight to Inspectors, 19 to Senior Police Officers 2 (SPO2), 32 to SPO1 and 42 to PO2.