To avoid recycling of evidence":Anti-drug cops to be ‘frisked’

CEBU, Philippines — Policemen in Cebu City who will be involved in anti-drug operations will now be frisked before and after the operation.

The so-called “Oplan Kapkap” is the response of the Cebu City Police Office to the issue of Ninja cops or policemen who recycle the illegal drugs they confiscate during operations.

“It’s been a policy natin ngayon sa PNP, or dito sa atin sa Cebu City na before the operation natin is kinakapkapan natin yung mga kapolisan and magiging lookout ito na ating mga station commanders (It’s now our policy here in Cebu City that the cops will be frisked before the operation. This will be the lookout of our station commanders),” said Lt. Col. Frankie Jingle Lugo of the Investigation, Detection, and Management Branch of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO).

“Before and after, magkapkapan to see to it na-assured natin na wala talagang items sa kanila (Before and after, they will be frisked so we can assure that they do not keep items),” Lugo added.

In a text message to reporters Sunday, CCPO Director Gemma Vinluan said she released the order to implement “Oplan Kapkap” last Thursday.

“I have instructed my men last Thursday to strictly observe operation kapkap, anti-recycling of evidence to peers and make memo for this instruction. I have instructed my intel officer to monitor the compliance of all operating units,” Vinluan’s message says.

Lugo said the IDMB and the station commanders will check on the operation themselves when they will have the time.

No pockets policy

Meanwhile, to further show transparency in the operations, Lugo said they are encouraging the policemen who will hit the field to wear clothing that do not have pockets.

“They can still wear their most comfortable clothes provided na yun nga, walang bulsa dapat yung mga tshirt nila, yung jeans or short nila (They can still wear their most comfortable clothes provided these do not have pockets… for example, on the shirt, jeans, or shorts),” Lugo said.

Besides, he said, the cops will not need the pockets because they do not put their firearms there, anyway.

Chief Insp. Armando Labora, chief of Cebu City Police Station One, and Major Joemar Pomarejos, chief of the Waterfront Police Station, said they will follow the directive.

Pomarejos described the directive as “good” and they will follow it as long as it will not jeopardize the operation.

“Wala namang problema sa amo. We will just follow… as long as dili ma-jeopardize ang security sa operation (There’s no problem with us. We will just follow as long as it will not jeopardize the security of the operation),” Pomarejos said.

If necessary, he said, he can actually be included in the inspection. (FREEMAN)