Lack of evidence, witnesses hinders cases vs protectors

CEBU, Philippines - While the regional police are certain about the involvement of some Cebu City cops on illegal drug activities, filing cases against them will not prosper without the presence of witnesses and sufficient evidence.

Regional Intelligence Division chief Superintendent Paul Labra lamented that the public’s hesitation to come out in the open and testify on the involvement of the alleged nine cops in illegal drug activities in Cebu City hinders the filing of the cases against the latter.

Labra agreed with Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, who earlier said those who will be proven guilty should not just be transferred to other units but be dismissed from service.

Labra said they are convinced that there are cops who are involved in these illegal activities. However, he then raised concern on the availability of the evidence to prove their involvement and eventually remove them from service if found accountable.

He said when filing a case, they have to present sufficient evidence supporting the case.

“We know because we are 100 percent sure na sila involved but di always available ang ebidensya ana,” he said.

Earlier, Cebu City Councilor Dave Tumulak, chairman of the City Council committee on peace and order, revealed a list involving nine policemen in Cebu City.

The list reportedly includes suspected small-time drug protectors who allegedly accept bribes from drug personalities in their areas in exchange of their protection from being caught by the law enforcers.

Other policemen also reportedly take the personal items of the drug suspects every time they implement search warrants in their residences.

Some allegedly arrest drug personalities and pretend to bring them to the police station via their patrol cars but it turned out that they would just drive around the area and demand the drug suspect to pay them for their release.

Labra said witnesses who personally saw the policemen engaged in illegal drug activities should come out in the open and report to the police.

He said this has always been their problem why cases won’t prosper.

“Pwede magamit ilang testimonies if naa’y willing but that’s the problem pag-ingon ani. Way witness nga mo-stand,” he said.

Labra said there are policemen, who are involved in illegal activities or have committed administrative offenses after they violated rules and regulations in the organization but are still in service since cases against them were not pursued.

Tumulak said in an earlier interview that three of the nine police officers in Cebu City who are reportedly engaged into illegal drug activities denied the allegations thrown against them.

Tumulak, however, said they admitted they were involved with these activities before but have decided to stop.

Labra said once the Cebu City Police Office will submit the list of the alleged nine cops to the RID office, these policemen will be placed under their watch list.  (FREEMAN)