No stipend for cops fine with Doria

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Police Office director Senior Supt. Joel Doria does not mind if the city government takes away the monthly allowance of police personnel assigned at the Pari-an Police Station after one of them was arrested for extortion.

Doria said the allowance was a privilege granted by the city that can be taken anytime. He assured that with or without the allowance the police will continue to perform their duties. The city government is giving P2,500 monthly allowance to all policemen assigned here.

“Wala naman tayong problema, allowance is just a privilege,” Doria said.

Mayor Tomas Osmeña said he might suspend the allowances of policemen if he sees that the illegal activities are widespread. Osmeña made the statement following the arrest of Police Officer 3 Ritchie Saquilabon by the members of the Counter-Intelligence Task Force for allegedly extorting money from the mother of a drug suspect in exchange for the latter’s release.

Saquilabon was caught red-handed receiving the money from Gloria Labus during an entrapment operation in downtown Cebu City last Monday. Saquilabon reportedly demanded P20,000 for the release of drug suspect Richie Labus.

Although he considered the incident as isolated, Doria said everybody in the police station must be relieved, including the commander, as a matter of procedure.

 “Yung mga ni-relieve natin is just part of the pending procedures natin na kailangang i-retraining. Pero that does not necessarily mean na involved sila dun sa insidente,” Doria explained.

All 39 policemen from Pari-an Police Station are currently undergoing moral recovery program before they will be sent to the Regional Training Center for the retraining. Doria said that the incident should served as a lesson for all policemen to stay away from anything illegal.

“That will serve as a lesson na rin dun sa mga personnel natin na dapat i-caution nila yung kanilang mga kasamahan,” Doria said.

Saquilabon was already charged for violations of Article 294 of the Revised Penal Code; Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act; and Republic Act 6713 or Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees. —FPL (FREEMAN)