Aglipay to recall transferred cops

All’s well that ends well.

The growing rift between Director Edgar Aglipay, chief of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), and Manila policemen was finally patched up following a dialogue with officers of the Manila’s Finest Brotherhood Association, Inc. (MFBAI) Monday at the EIIB building in Quezon City.

In his report to WPD director Chief Superintendent Nicolas Pasinos, MFBAI president and chairman of the board SPO3 Reynaldo Li stated that Aglipay gave assurances that those WPD personnel transferred outside the district would be recalled to the WPD "provided they submit justified explanation of their supposed infraction which must be concurred in and favorably recommended by respective commanders and/or chiefs of unit to the district director which in turn shall be forwarded to NCRPO for cancellations of the order."

It will be recalled that Aglipay came under fire from the association for ordering the transfer of some Manila policemen to the provinces for minor infractions which the association described as arbitrary. The MFBAI said they are not against the move of Aglipay to instill discipline among policemen but the members insist that due process should always prevail.

Under Aglipay’s new tack to curb criminality in Metro Manila, policemen were ordered to be present in the early morning roll call and formation before their deployment to crime-prone areas. At least 400 policemen who have incurred three absences in the roll call were transferred to the provinces. The arbitrary transfer, according to the complaining policemen, caused undue hardships to those affected who are attending to court hearings and following up on cases.

During the dialogue, Aglipay reiterated that he is willing to listen to his men. "If we found them following up papers, appearing in court or doing duties at police headquarters, then they are excused and we will stop their transfer order," he said.

Li described the dialogue as very cordial and fruitful. He also denied to Aglipay earlier reports that WPD members will stage a walkout in protest of his "martial law" tactics.

"The MFBAI has never issued a walkout threat against Aglipay. Some disgruntled policemen could have been the source of the erroneous reports," Li said.

At the same dialogue, Li said Aglipay expressed his sympathy and willingness to support the families of former MFBAI president SPO4 Wilson Tibor and 11 WPD policemen who were implicated in the "senseless killing" of two Muslims in Quiapo earlier this year.

Aglipay also promised to provide allowances for policewomen of the WPD’s Civil Disturbance Management Unit, Li said.