New Pari-an cops ‘ill-equipped’

CEBU, Philippines — Senior Inspector Porferio Gabuya, the new head of Pari-an Police Station, is faced with a dilemma.

First, his men are not trained on specialized tasks such as investigation, administration, operations and community relations, which can be an operational problem for a police station.

“Relieved sila tanan, pero pulihan sila og bag-o. The only problem lang, nanginahanglan man gud ta og naka-undergo og training pareha sa investigator, admin, and operations, and community relations officers. Kinahanglan naka undergo og training,” he said.

Gabuya has been temporarily designated as the head of the station pending the arrival of Chief Inspector Kenneth Paul Albotra, the new station commander from Negros Oriental Police Office.

To recall, Police Regional Office-7 Director Robert Quenery ordered Tuesday the relief of 39 cops of the station, including its former station commander Chief Inspector Ramoncelio Sawan, after the arrest of Police Officer 3 Ritchie Saquilabon, who allegedly attempted to extort P20,000 from drug suspect Richie Labus’ mother, Gloria, in exchange for her son’s release.

The 39 cops have been replaced by members of the Cebu City Mobile Force Company, which is based at the upland barangay of Pung-ol Sibugay and is focused on internal security operations.

Only a few of the newcomers are from other police station units in the city.

Secondly, Gabuya’s personnel are also unfamiliar with the barangays under the station’s jurisdiction — Pari-an, Kamagayan, San Antonio, Lorega, Zapatera, T. Padilla, and Day-as — so he has directed them to get acquainted with their area of responsibility.

Gabuya also warned his men against participating in illegal activities.

“Kung unsay nahitabo sa una, di na nato usban. Kay di gyud to maayo. Naapektuhan gyud, although wala sila’y (cops relieved) apil, pero on the process man gud ang internal cleansing,” he told reporters yesterday.

Saquilabon is detained at Fuente Police Station.

Charges were already filed against him for violations of Article 294 of the Revised Penal Code for robbery with violence against or intimidation of persons; Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act; and Republic Act 6713 or Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Employees.

Three of his reported cohorts, including a barangay tanod, are still at large but police have already identified them. Their names have not been revealed, though, pending their arrests.

Pari-an Barangay Captain Jeremias Nuñez, in response to allegations that one of his barangay tanods was involved in the foiled extortion racket, said he will not tolerate the act and immediately fire the tanod concerned.

“Kung naapil man gani siya, ako gyud to siya tangtangon kay di man gyud na pwede ma-involve sa illegal,” Nuñez said.

Pari-an has 20 tanods, and Nuñez met them yesterday evening, telling them that he will be sending a photo of the tanods to CITF for further investigation.

Risking Allowance

Barangay tanods receive up to P5,000 in honorarium from the Cebu City government.

Yesterday, Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña once again raised the red flag against policemen involved in illegal activities, saying their unscrupulous practices may cost them their allowance from the city.

The mayor welcomed the Police Regional Office-7’s move to relieve the entire police station force altogether as he reiterated his warning against police scalawags.

“I’m glad that there are cracking down on the police. It’s not the first time but I’m greatly encouraged by the move of the general (PRO-7 Director Robert Quenery) relieving all of them. But if it is widespread in the precinct, I would suspend all their allowances,” Osmeña said.

The city government gives P2,500 monthly allowances to cops assigned in the city.

Former Pari-an policemen who were relieved from their posts started their 15-day back-to-basic course and moral recovery yesterday. —JMD (FREEMAN)