Cops with romantic relationships with inmates face dismissal — PNP chief

MANILA, Philippines — Police officers with romantic relationships with inmates will be dismissed from the service, according to Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Archie Francisco Gamboa.

“Policemen are not supposed to be in love with PDLs (persons deprived of liberty),” Gamboa told a press briefing at Camp Crame yesterday.

Maj. Ildefonso Miranda Jr., police chief of Argao, Cebu, was arrested last week after he was allegedly caught sleeping with a 23-year-old drug suspect at his quarters at the municipal police station.

Miranda did not apologize for his action, saying he fell in love with the woman.

However, operatives of the PNP Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group said the 46-year-old police official was allegedly having a sexual relationship with the inmate “in exchange for her privilege to sleep in his air-conditioned office.” 

Another female inmate caught sleeping in Miranda’s office reportedly acts as Miranda’s “helper.”

Gamboa also slammed Capt. Wilfredo Dizon, Norzagaray deputy police chief, for tapping an inmate as his personal driver.

He said Miranda and Dizon would be dismissed from the service for committing a “grave offense.”

Gamboa said an average of six police officers are dismissed from the service everyday for various offenses.

“Itong dalawa matitigas ang ulo. Gusto nila sumama dun sa six PNP personnel dismissed per day,” he said.