No directive yet on lifestyle check on cops

CEBU, Philippines — The Regional Internal Affairs Service (RIAS) in Central Visayas said it is ready to implement a lifestyle check on the policemen in the region if there is a directive released by the PNP chief amid the issue on “ninja cops.”

“As of now actually we are still waiting for any further guidance or instructions from higher ups,” RIAS-7 director Police Brigadier General Francisco Esguerra told reporters on Monday.

According to Esguerra, if there will be a directive from the national headquarters regarding the conduct of the lifestyle check, it will be coursed through IAS chief Inspector General Attorney Alfegar Triambolo.

Esguerra said that if the directive will be sent to the PRO-7, they will be “obliged” to do their job.

“Of course kung meron man ay we will be oblige to do our job, because that is our mandate,” he said.

As of yesterday, Esguerra said they have not received any guidance and directive regarding the check, adding that the process will still undergo coordination.

“As of now wala pa. Kasi this will take a lot of coordination with a lot of agencies, especially the internal affairs community kasi sila nga mga holder ng mga data,” he said.

Moreover, on the statement of the Police Regional Office-7 director Police Brigadier Debold Sinas that they are monitoring some cops who were tagged as ninja cops, Esguerra said that they are willing to help in the monitoring since “we are working as one.”

“Yung mga ninja cops na sinasabi nila ay wala pa kaming na re-receive na pangalan,” Esguerra said.

National newspapers earlier reported that the Palace is ready to back the PNP in the conduct of lifestyle check following the ninja cops controversy. The lifestyle check was proposed by Sen. Richard Gordon, chairman of the Senate blue ribbon committee.  JMD (FREEMAN)