Text message tags 2 cops as drugs, karera protectors

Two members of the Cebu Provincial Police Office were tagged as protectors of illegal drug and video karera operations in Toledo City by a text message sent to Camp Crame's PNP Text 2920 hotline.

SPO2 Hermest Obiso of the Provincial Security Service Group, and SPO2 Ahmed Barquin of the Aloguinsan Police Station are now in hot water after Camp Crame ordered the regional police to investigate the allegations against them.

A report over dyAB said Camp Crame received the text message two weeks ago and immediately endorsed it to the regional police office, which also ordered provincial police director Vicente Loot to investigate Obiso and Barquin.

It was learned that both policemen are residents of barangay Luray, Toledo City. Obiso was formerly assigned at the 703rd Provincial Mobile Group while Barquin served as warrant server of the Toledo City police before his transfer to the Aloguinsan police in September.

Obiso, when interviewed, denied the allegation, suspecting a fellow policeman of sending the text message to Camp Crame.

Obiso said his fellow policeman got irked when he was part of the Regional Intelligence and Investigation Division personnel who raided the house of the Poloyapoy siblings for drugs in Toledo City last month.

Obiso claimed the policeman was a cousin of the Poloyapoy's, and that he is willing to face investigation to clear his name.

Barquin, for his part, said he has no knowledge of any complaint filed against him, and even asked reporters about the controversy.

Barquin said that he was never been involved in any illegal activities, which will only give shame to his family, particularly his wife who is a public school teacher in Toledo City.

He believed that those who were responsible for the text message were relatives of criminals he arrested before.

Loot said that even if the text message did not reach Camp Crame, he had already started the investigation against the two policemen after receiving the complaints two weeks ago.

He said that he was aware of the complaints because the two cops are even included on the list of erring members of the provincial police.

Loot added Obiso and Barquin would remain in their posts while the investigation is ongoing.