After being seen in cockpit: Two policemen relieved
CEBU, Philippines — Policemen be warned; you are not allowed to be in areas where any form of gambling is taking place.
Two policemen have been relieved from their assignments after they were photographed inside improvised cockpit arenas on separate occasions by a covert surveillance team assigned to be on the watch for erring policemen.
The first to be caught by the surveillance team was Police Officer 2 Jansen Caña, assigned to the Abellana Police Station, who was seen in a cockpit along A. Lopez Street, Cebu City. He was seen wearing a gray t-shirt, brown shoes.
Chief Inspector Maria Theresa Macatangay said she ordered the relief of Caña following the report, she added Caña has really been to known to gamble in cockfights.
“Yes I have already been informed that he was seen inside the cockpit arena, and in line with that ako na siya gipa-relieve. Naa na man g’yud na sa iya nga manugal g’yud siya,” she said.
In the case of Senior Police Officer 1 Felipe Alfeche, an informant told the police a certain “Sarge Efing” or Alfeche was set to participate in a cockfight in the City of Naga.
The team photographed Alfeche, who was assigned to the Cebu City Police Office Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit, wearing a white t-shirt, blue ball cap, and jeans.
The team in-charge of policing other police officers is called the Red Team and directly reports to the Police Regional Office-7 Director, Chief Superintendent Debold Sinas.
“Naa ko Read Team, nga manuroy muaadto og sabungan, casino, golf course, mamicture on ordinary days, Sunday and Saturdays wala’y problema, naa magtuyok-tuyok didto mamicture lang,” Sinas said.
Policemen have already been told that their mere presence in gambling areas such as casinos and cockfighting arenas can be considered as a basis for relief and administrative charges.
Both Alfeche and Caña will face administrative penalties for violating the Philippine National Police Ethical Standard, Presidential Decree 449 for cockfighting, and Presidential Decree 1602 for illegal gambling.
They are temporarily assigned to the PRO-7 Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit, and their service firearms have also been recalled. Sinas said that this should serve as a stern warning to other policemen. (FREEMAN)
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