Ignore pols, Ping tells cops

Philippine National Police chief Deputy Director General Panfilo Lacson reminded yesterday police personnel not to mind politicians who may exert influence or pressure and interfere in legitimate police operations.

"Just don't mind politicians and stick to doing our job. It is that simple. If we get distracted along the way, we can never get to our desired destination," Lacson declared in a press conference.

Lacson was obviously alluding to Quezon City Rep. Michael Defensor who according to reports, allegedly interfered for the release of four suspected "pick-up" girls arrested for vagrancy by the Central Police District.

That incident has led to the filing of graft charges by four policemen detailed with CPD Station 10 against Defensor in the Office of the Ombudsman. Defensor's reported interference triggered a word war between him and National Capital Regional Police Office director Chief Superintendent Edgar Aglipay.

Like Aglipay, Lacson also extended his full support to the four policemen, POs1 Jonathan Jornadal, Renato Hamor and Allan Paul Tesado and Inspector Fely Bucu.

"While we are harsh on erring police officers, we stand behind them when they are performing their jobs properly," Lacson said.

The four police officers alleged that Defensor tried to "pressure" them into releasing Rona Villareal, Georgilyn Feriles, Jammer Adrias and Karen de Guzman.

They were arrested Feb. 16 at Padi's Point bar on Timog Avenue in Quezon City and pleaded guilty to vagrancy.

Reports, however, said that Defensor called-up CPD Station 10 and allegedly threatened the duty cops into releasing the girls or be booted-out from the service.