PRO-7: Follow checkpoint protocols

CEBU, Philippines — The Police Regional Office (PRO)-7 had reminded its personnel to adhere to protocols in conducting checkpoints.

“Di man pulis ang mag-abli.  Now, I will talk to them based sa operational procedures.  Kung gusto nimo igawas, igawas nimo.  Kung di nimo gusto igawas okay man lang.  Gi-request lang sila if puwede,” PRO-7 Chief Debold Sinas said.

He reiterated that police are only allowed to check the vehicle of motorists in plain view.

The statement was made following reports of questionable searches during checkpoints in Mandaue City.

This is the second time that the Mandaue City Police Office has been on the spotlight for allegations of going overboard during searches in checkpoints.

On September 2017, there were a few motorists who cried foul when cops forced them to open contents of their personal belongings in a vehicle when supposedly it should only be in plain view.

He said checking on items such as wallets, backpacks and pockets, should be “politely” requested by cops to a motorist being checked.

If the motorist would refuse, cops should respect.

In a separate development, PRO-7 also told its officers that they will be charged for unlawful arrest and face relief orders if they are found taking in custody loiterers that are not guilty of violating any city ordinance.

“Yes, police will be charged for unlawful arrest if they are found guilty nga nanakop diha out of personal grudge lang. They will be made to explain, due process gihapon,” he said.

Sinas said this after the Philippine National Police (PNP) received public backlash when a loiterer in Manila was mauled to death by fellow cellmates, after he was arrested.

Another incident saw a group of men waiting for a taxi in Makati City was arrested by cops implementing anti-loitering.

Local officials in Cebu City and the province have reiterated that the public should be aware of the existing city ordinances such as: drinking in prohibited places or drunkenness; smoking ban; half-naked; anti-dispatching; minors violating the curfew ordinance; City Ordinance 801 or Use of Coaster, Roller Skates and similar devices; City Ordinance 1940 or Anti-noise pollution; City Ordinance 1361 or Urinating, Spitting, Littering, defecating in public places; and Other ordinances Adult/Minors involved in trouble, stoning, riot/gang wars.

Dialogue

Meanwhile, The Consolacion Police Station, headed by Chief Inspector Gerard Ace Pelare, together with the local government unit initiated a dialogue with the parents of rescued minors, to prevent the kids from going back to their usual activities of wandering the streets.

A total of 23 minors, aged 12-17 years old, were rescued by the operatives last week during their Oplan Tambay operation held in different barangays in Consolacion.

Consolacion Mayor Teresa Alegado and other municipal officials also joined the dialogue.

A covenant signing with the parents was also conducted during the dialogue.

Of 23 parents, at least 15 attended the dialogue, which Pelare said was a good sign of cooperation of parents.

On the other hand, Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) Director Manuel Abrugena confirmed that one of the major contributors during their Oplan Tambay was the minors violating curfew reaching about 40 percent.

Abrugena also commended the effort of the Consolacion PNP and the LGU in initiating such program which will also look at the welfare of the young and the public.

“I really appreciate the effort of Consolacion MPS… a dialogue is needed to reach out to the parents of the children being invited to the station for violating the curfew,” part of the text message sent by Abrugena to The FREEMAN.

He also hopes that other police stations in Cebu Province will replicate the initiative of Consolacion Police.

Since June 13, the CPPO was able to apprehend a total of 1,562 violators of different ordinances, including curfew and drinking in prohibited places during Oplan Tambay. (FREEMAN)