Dismissal eyed versus ‘extortion cop’

CEBU, Philippines — Despite the failure of the complainant to file a case against the police officer who was arrested for extortion, the administrative case against him remains strong.

This was according to Police Regional Office (PRO) – 7 Director Chief Superintendent Debold Sinas when asked about the status of the case against Senior Police Officer 2 Vicente Gila, Jr. of Consolacion Police Station.

 “It does not prevent us sa admin case. Kapag sa entrapment kasi, police na magtestify niyan… Admin case is a strong case,” said Sinas.

Gila was released from Talamban Police Station yesterday after the complainant, John Vincente Rafols, a hotel manager in General Santos City, did not show up to file a formal complaint.

“Wala man ta’y mahimo kay lapas na sa oras basin kami na sad ang ma-technical ani for illegal detention. Amo siya gihangyo (Rafols) nga mubalik pero tua na daw siya sa Gen San karon dili na mutubag sa among tawag,” said Talamban Police chief Alvin Llamedo.

Gila was arrested last Tuesday afternoon in a mall in Mandaue City in an entrapment operation after Rafols reported that Gila is asking for P10,000 in exchange for his cellphone which he left in a taxi.

Sinas said that they are studying the possibility of Gila’s dismissal from service.

“Dili gyud mi mosugot nga ingun ato kay imo lang himoan og minor cases, eh di mobalik lang gihapon to,” Sinas said.

Gila underwent a drug test but tested negative.

He was also disarmed and his PNP Identification card was confiscated.

Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) director Senior Superintendent Joel Doria said that they are checking if Gila is involved in other illegal activities.

For his part, Consolacion Police Station chief Gerard Ace Pelare condemned the act of Gila and said he is not tolerating this.

“I condemn to the strongest terms possible the conduct of SPO2 Gila.  It was utterly unbecoming and I am one with many in the unified call for his immediate dismissal from the PNP service,” part of Pelare’s text sent to The FREEMAN.

Gila was off duty when he committed the crime.

On the other hand, the policeman who evaded the surprise drug test at PRO-7 headquarters on Tuesday will be facing an administrative case.

Sinas gave the policeman an ultimatum that if he will not report to his post yesterday, he will lose his benefits for being absent without official leave (AWOL).

The Freeman is withholding the policeman’s name pending resolution of his case.

The policeman was picked up from his residence on Wednesday night by his superiors in the Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit (PHAU) where he was assigned.

He told them he evaded the drug test as he was scared but he did not elaborate. He was subjected to a drug test yesterday.

He will be charged with insubordination for disobeying a direct order from a superior.

He might also face aggravating charges if he tests positive in the drug test.

Sinas said as law enforcers they should be leading by example.

“The PNP is clothed with authority which makes us very important. Can you imagine a police officer carrying a firearm, enforcing law tapos drug addict pala?” Sinas said.

But Sinas said that cops can avail of a rehabilitation program and all costs will covered by the regional headquarters.

“Naa’y bag-ong program kung ganahan ang police. Pagka mag-positive ka, ma-dismiss ka (but) tabangan namo siya nga magpa-rehab. We will offer nga i-rehab ka, kami na ang magbayad, kung gusto niya,” he said. — MBG (FREEMAN)