Ex-Parian cops complete moral recovery program

CEBU, Philippines — At least 34 of the 39 policemen formerly assigned at the Pari-an Police Station who were relieved from their post after they were dragged into an extortion racket by a fellow cop last month have completed their 15-day moral enhancement program.

Reverend Director Philip Bartolaba, chairman of Ethics and Discipline and Director of Visayas area and who led the course, recommended the class for graduation, pointing out that they have become closer to God and instilled the value of righteousness and integrity.

“I highly recommend them to be back on the field because they showed that they have become faithful stewards in their responsibility, respectful, and punctual,” Bartolaba said.

To recall, the 39 police force of Pari-an Police Station have been relieved after PO3 Ritchie Saquilabon arrested a drug suspect and, instead of taking him to the police station for proper booking procedures, demanded P20,000 from the suspect’s mother in exchange for his release.

Saquilabon was already charged with robbery-extortion and temporarily detained at the Fuente Police Station.

The other five policemen are still with the Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit and would still have to undergo the program.

During the closing ceremony, Police Regional Office (PRO)-7 Director Robert Quenery reminded all cops to do well and expect appropriate penalties for wrongdoings.

“I will be very lenient and generous in giving awards, but I will be equally harsh for those people who betray the oath that they have taken,” Quenery said.

Quenery lamented the fact that it was the Counter-Intelligence Task Force, a unit which directly reports to the national headquarters, that hatched the plan to entrap Saquilabon.

“For the past weeks PRO-7 suffered a blow on the matters of discipline and public perception.  What is sad about it is that other units pa ang nag-police sa atin when we ourselves ang dapat nag-police.  But I don’t blame you for everything, because as a tradition in training, the fault of one is the fault of all,” Quenery said.

He reminded his cops in the room to watch over each other in order to avoid being lured into by money to do illegal-activities, and treat their job as a vocation, a calling to protect others.

“Treat your work as a vocation not just a job or a career but also a calling because sometimes we have to place your lives on the line so that others may live,” Quenery said.

Cebu City Police Office Director Joel Doria said that he sees fit that the group will be assigned into two community precincts at I.T. Park in Barangay Apas and in Hipodromo. —/GAN (FREEMAN)