4 cops caught gambling, drinking in public

MANILA, Philippines — Four police officers and a civilian employee of the Philippine National Police (PNP) were arrested after they were caught gambling and drinking in public in Quezon City on Wednesday night.

Senior M/Sgt. Demetrio Laroya, Cpl. Ariel Pasion and S/Sgt. Erwin Gobis, assigned with the PNP Health Service, and S/Sgt. Gerry Ocampo of the Crime Laboratory were apprehended in a restaurant in Barangay Bagong Lipunan by operatives of the Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group (IMEG).

PNP chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde vowed to hold the policemen accountable for ignoring President Duterte’s directive banning police officers and soldiers from drinking in public places.

IMEG director Col. Romeo Caramat Jr. said also taken into police custody were Leo Ocinar, an employee of the PNP Directorate for Records and Personnel Management, former policeman Fidel Agustin and Teddy Carpio.

Caramat said they conducted the operation amid reports that police officers have been gambling and drinking in the area.

Found in the suspects’ possession were 23 bottles of liquor and P14,340 in cash.

“The evidence are in the custody of the IMEG for documentation,” Caramat said.

The suspects underwent inquest proceedings yesterday before the Quezon City prosecutor’s office for violating Presidential Decree 1602 or the law, which provides tougher penalties for illegal gambling.