PNP exec willing to assist probe on disaster fund

CEBU, Philippines - After the alleged misuse of donated cash by one of his former staff, Senior Superintendent Audie Villacin yesterday said he is willing to cooperate with an ongoing fact-finding investigation by the Regional Investigation and Detection Management Division-7.

Villacin, former Regional Police Community Relations chief, said in a telephone interview with the media that he does not know about the alleged embezzlement.

But he said that during his stint as the RPCR chief his office has implemented a project intended for the earthquake and Yolanda victims.

He said, though, that the activity was spearheaded by the Regional Comptroller Division and that his office was just acting on orders to implement it.

He also said the money was coursed through the Regional Comptroller for proper accounting.

Senior Police Officer 1 Evelyn Ligue, investigator, said she directed all PCR personnel of the different police offices in Central Visayas last week to submit their respective reports on how much donations they sent to the RPCR for  the earthquake and super typhoon Yolanda disaster fund.

Ligue said the Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office was able to give P19,000 through a money forwarding company and was also able to turn over P20,000 in a separate transaction; Mandaue City Police office gave P5,000 for the earthquake victims and P6,000 for Yolanda victims.

Lapu-Lapu City Police Office was able to give through its finance officer, who deducted P20 from the salary of each police personnel.

Other police offices also gave donations, either in cash or in kind, that Ligue said they are all trying to trace.

She said Siquijor Provincial Police Office and the Cebu Provincial Police Office allegedly also donated but that no cash was involved.

The Regional Public Safety Battalion and the Cebu City Police Office were also set to give Ligue each of their receipts for proper accounting.

Up to now it is not yet clear how much money from the fund that the policewoman allegedly misappropriated.

Ligue told reporters that aside from the first text message reporting the policewoman’s deeds they have received another text message through police hotline 2920.

The text message specified how much money NOPPO, CPPO, LCPO, donated but Ligue said they would not know who the sender was as the information is also strictly confidential.

The text message was received by Camp Crame and forwarded to the Police Regional Office-7.

She said that as alleged, P200,000 to P300,000 was never turned over; Ligue, though, said that she would still check the accuracy of the report.

She said the policewoman concerned would be subjected to a lifestyle check.

If proven guilty, the policewoman would be dismissed from service for gross dishonesty or gross misconduct and may face a criminal complaint for embezzlement.  (FREEMAN)