Lapu-Lapu cop chief raps brgy head for neglect of duty

Lapu-Lapu City Police chief Louie Oppus has filed at the city council administrative charges against Babag II barangay captain Elias Berdin for alleged culpable violation of the Constitution, gross negligence, and dereliction of duty.

In his two-page complaint, Oppus alleged that Berdin failed to ensure the delivery of basic services for health and social welfare, and failed to promote the general welfare of the barangay.

Oppus cited an incident last December 19 at purok Rambo in Babag II where a firecracker explosion resulted in the death of Marjun Baquio.

He alleged that Berdin neither assisted the victim nor organized and led an emergency group, which is necessary for the maintenance of peace and order or emergency response in a barangay.

An emergency group is a necessity in barangay Babag II because it is a place where there are manufacturers of firecrackers and pyrotechnics, which are both vulnerable to fire and explosion that cause destruction to life and property.

Oppus said that, last year, six people died from firecracker explosion in Babag II, an indication that Berdin failed to enforce the law regulating the storage, selling and display of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic products.

Oppus also accused Berdin of not coordinating or cooperating with the police in the maintenance of peace and order in his barangay since he assumed office as barangay captain in 2003.

"The proliferation of illegal drug trade is rampant in the barangay of Elias Berdin, which bring about headache to the City Police," Oppus alleged.

He claimed that illegal drug business is being done within the surroundings of the barangay hall, alleging further that Berdin just neglected efforts to solve this problem in violation of his sworn duty.

Oppus added that in several police operations against the illegal drug trade in Babag, Berdin allegedly did not exert any effort to help the policemen. - Flor Z. Perolina- Mitchelle P. Calipayan