Funds to go directly to lowest police units

CEBU, Philippines — To prevent corruption, funds intended even to the lowest police units will no longer be downloaded through the high-ranking officials.

This was the assurance of Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Debold Sinas in a speech during his visit to the Police Regional Office-7 yesterday.

"Effective immediately, lahat ng pondo ay dapat aabot sa pinakamababang unit ng police," Sinas said.

Sinas also said that PNP members will be issued an automated teller machine (ATM) cards for them to directly claim the funds for their maintenance and other operating expenses (MOEE).

"I see to it na meron silang mga ATMs para ang pondo deretso na sa kanila, hindi na dadaan sa provincial director at chief of police, at sabay-sabay ang pag-release nun," he said. "Dapat nating ipatupad yung mga trabaho natin. 'Wag kayong mag-alala, ang pondo sa itaas ay ibababa natin sa inyo. Kailangan lang ay magtrabaho tayo."

Sinas also warned his men not to engage in other forms of corruption, reminding them of the directives issued by President Rodrigo Duterte about illegal activities.

"Tuloy po ang 'No Take' policy natin nang mga funds from illegal drugs, illegal gambling, smuggling, and from other unscrupulous businessmen," he said.

Sinas, the former PRO-7 director, arrived in Cebu Friday afternoon and made a courtesy call on Secretary Michael Dino of the Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas (OPAV).

He attended a thanksgiving mass at the Archbishop's Palace early morning yesterday prior to his visit to the Cebu City Police Office and PRO-7. — LPM (FREEMAN)