CCPO clears men of harassment raps

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Police Office defended its operation in Barangay Tejero in September wherein members of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT), Motorcycle Riding Unit (MRU), and Mobile Patrol Group were accused of harassment for removing premature campaign materials.

Investigation and Detective Management Branch chief Bonifacio Garciano said that the operation was legitimate and has authority from the headquarters.

Garciano said that the deployment of personnel was authorized by CCPO operations chief Wildemar Tiu. It was allegedly “done in good faith with an honest belief that it was purely an implementation of the city ordinance.”

Tejero Barangay Captain Jessilou Cadungog earlier complained to Police Regional Office-7 director Marcelo Garbo that the city policemen involved themselves in partisan activities.

According to Garciano, the police contingent merely served as security to the members of the City Environmental Sanitation Enforcement Team (CESET) who were out to remove “premature” campaign materials.

Among the alleged premature campaign materials removed during the operation were the “Type O” tarpaulins of the Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan. Cadungog complained because even the tarpaulins in private properties were removed. —/FPL (FREEMAN)