2 teams vs rogue, inept cops bared

Metro Manila police director Chief Superintendent Edgar Aglipay created yesterday a committee for a stepped up campaign to weed out scalawags and misfits and also monitor policemen absent from their beats or not wearing proper uniforms.

Armed with video cameras, tape recorders and "marked money," members of the Regional Investigation and Inspection Committee (RIIC) of the PNP National Capital Regional Police Office (NCRPO) will patrol Metro Manila and move against inept, corrupt and undisciplined (ICU) cops, Aglipay said.

He reiterated that he will not hesitate to relieve station commanders whose men are involved in extortion activities and or not wearing proper uniforms during tours of duty.

"The RIIC's duty is to see to it that the policy of PNP chief Deputy Director General Panfilo Lacson on ICU cops and in the non-wearing of proper uniforms is strictly observed," said Aglipay in a telephone interview.

"They should also see to it that policemen are doing their jobs and monitoring their beats."

A total of 23 kotong cops have been arrested by NCRPO personnel since Lacson started cleansing the PNP ranks of scalawags and misfits two months ago.

The dismissal of the mulcting cops are now being rushed by Chief Superintendent Efren Fernandez, NCRPO deputy chief for administration. Aglipay also tasked Fernandez to head the RIIC.

According to Aglipay, any recommendation against erring cops forwarded by Fernandez, like dismissal from the service or transfer of assignment to Mindanao, will be carried out immediately.

Fernandez was ordered to create two teams headed by senior officers for his RIIC. One team will patrol the areas of the Central, Eastern and Northern Police Districts while the other, the Western and Southern Police Districts.