13 cops suspended for neglect of duty

CEBU, Philippines — Since the start of the year, the Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) has suspended 13 cops for neglect of duty in a move meant to serve as a warning to uniformed personnel who are into illegal activities.

CPPO director Manuel Abrugena, in a statement, said the suspensions are in line with the directives of President Rodrigo Duterte and Philippine National Police Director General Oscar Albayalde to rid or cleanse the police ranks of police scalawags.

The 13 erring cops were suspended from work for up to five days and their bonuses and allowances are at risk of being forfeited.

They include policemen from the town of Ginatilan, Boljoon, Alcoy, Consolacion, Compostela, and those assigned at the Provincial Personnel Holding, and Accounting Unit (PHAU).

“Due process was given to the cops who committed the infractions before the decision of finality was being provided by the PNP,” Abrugena said in his statement to the media yesterday.

Though the statement did not specify the infractions committed, Abrugena said he hopes the suspension would serve as fair warning to other cops in the provincial headquarters to do away with illegal activities.

“This will serve as a lesson for them to do their jobs, and a warning na kung mahuhuli sila, they will pay. We do not tolerate wrongdoings in the organization,” he said.

In his Independence Day message to his men, PNP Chief Albayalde called them to be more religious in the anti-drug campaign and rid the organization of scalawags.

“Patuloy nating isulong ng buong tapang at dedikasyon ang pakikibaka laban sa krimen at iligal na droga. Isulong natin ang pagbabago sa ating organisasyon at huwag hayaang sirain nga tiwaling pulis and pangalan at imahe ng kapulisan,” a portion of Albayalde’s message read. (FREEMAN)