Capitol: Stop 'bogus' issuance of police clearance

CEBU, Philippines - The provincial government will provide equipment to each of the police stations in the province to stop unscrupulous individuals who allegedly make business out of police clearances.

Provincial Police Director Erson Digal told Governor Gwendolyn Garcia that some private individuals are earning money out of the police clearance. They reportedly earn up to P50 for a police clearance with receipt. A separate amount is also reportedly paid for a computer operator, the one who takes the picture of the person availing of the clearance using the security paper of the Philippine National Police.

Garcia said Capitol will provide equipment for the printing and issuance of police clearances, including a computer, printer and digital camera.

“This is part of our continued support to the CPPO to prevent the continued practice of this highly questionable operation,” Garcia said.

Garcia has instructed the bids and awards committee to bid the project out immediately.

Digal, for his part, has directed all chiefs of police in the province to issue the clearance manually rather than electronically to avoid suspicion.

Reports reached Digal that aside from the P40 payment at the Municipal Treasurer’s Office, another payment of P80 is asked at the police station without a receipt.

“Resibo ra ang ipakita, a police clearance will be issued sa manglukatay,” he said.

Digal said he has been receiving comments from the residents of Daanbantayan that they are asked to pay P80 but are allegedly not given any receipt.

Daanbantayan Police Chief Inspector Resty Santos, however, said it is not the police office that asks for the P80, but reportedly a staff of the private firm that maintains the computers.

“Bag-o pa man ko diri na-assigned but sa akong nahibaw-an naay private firm nga nag-maintain sa computers, but I am planning nga papahawaon nako,” Santos said.

Among the police stations identified to collect payment for collecting payments are Liloan, Talisay, Minglanilla, Naga, Carcar, and Danao. (THE FREEMAN)