Aglipay vows to protect cops from harassment by 'influentialpeople'

Metro Manila police director Chief Superintendent Edgar Aglipay defended yesterday the four Central Police District (CPD) policemen tagged by Quezon City Rep. Mike Defensor as kotong cops.

Aglipay said the four CPD personnel deserve a "pat on the back" for enforcing the law and vowed to fully protect them from harassment by "influential people."

He welcomed Defensor's formal complaint against the four policemen who last week arrested four suspected prostitutes while loitering along Timog Avenue in Quezon City, "so we can get to the bottom of this (case)."

Earlier, Defensor said the four cops filed vagrancy charges against the four women after they "failed to come across." He did not say how much money the four cops were demanding.

When Aglipay threatened to charge him with obstruction of justice, Defensor described his calling CPD-Station 10 about the case of the four women as "an obstruction of a kotong attempt."

According to Aglipay, the three policemen, PO1 Allan Renato Jamor, PO1 Jonathan Jordanal, PO1 Allan Paul Tesado and policewoman Inspector Fely Bucu were conducting a legitimate operation along Timog Avenue and apprehended the four women, who turned out to be acquaintances of Defensor.

The four, he said, were armed with a directive from CPD director Chief Superintendent Victor Luga calling for an intensified campaign against illegal activities and vice.

"I don't have a quarrel with good Congressman Defensor. It is a matter of standing by what I believe is right and good for the PNP and the people as a whole," said Aglipay in a statement.

The four acted above-board, said Aglipay. "All the procedures were executed properly. In fact, this particular operation was assisted by a lady officer of the women's and children desk in the person of Police Inspector Fely Bucu," he said.

Aglipay said that Luga later instructed the four to see Defensor to learn what their mistake was. But instead, Defensor wanted them to sign a prepared affidavit saying that they made an illegal arrest.

When the four declined, Defensor threatened to use his influence to have them dismissed from the service.

Aglipay stressed that the PNP is very hard against personnel who are inept, corrupt and undisciplined (ICU) and their records can attest to that. "But in cases where the cop does his duty to enforce the law, prevent crime and protect the citizenry, he deserves a pat on the back. Much more, protection when harassed by influential people," Aglipay said.

He requested Defensor to take back his words once the four are proven not to be kotong cops "in fairness to their families."

He stressed, however, that if the four are found guilty of mulcting, "then they should face the consequences of their action."