No mercy for ‘kotong’ cops

Charge them! Jail them! Remove them! Better yet, send them to the battlefield or hardship posts out of Metro Manila.

These were the latest instructions issued by President Arroyo to Metro police chief Deputy Director General Reynaldo Velasco on the specific disciplinary measures to be taken against the so-called "kotong" cops who extort cash from drivers of buses and jeepneys.

Secret traffic marshals would soon be deployed to go after erring traffic cops in various parts of Metro Manila. Apart from this, the President ordered Velasco to act within three days on any complaints or reports from the public that will be received by his command against any kotong cop.

"There will no longer be any mercy to mulcters who will be caught. I have ordered that they be charged, jailed, removed from the service, or be sent to far-flung or battlefield areas," Mrs. Arroyo said.

She announced her latest directives to the PNP leadership, headed by Director General Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. in her weekly radio message yesterday aired over government-run Radyo ng Bayan.

The President said Velasco will be assisted in this campaign by Western Police District (WPD) director Senior Superintendent Pedro Bulaong. They will launch the campaign agianst their fellow men in uniform involved in mulcting activities as well as against owners or operators of illegal bus and jeepney terminals that add to the traffic congestion in Metro Manila.

She had been informed about the illegal activities of kotong cops during her dialogue last Friday with various leaders and representatives of public transport groups. The groups complained that mulcting activities by enforcers add to their financial woes amidst the rising prices of fuel and spare parts.

In a meeting at the Palace, the President issued instructions to the NCRPO to deploy secret traffic marshals after transport groups heeded her call for a moratorium on the fare hike petitions.

"Within this week, I expect the first report from the PNP on this campaign. They will do everything needed to be done such as deployment of secret marshals to catch these mulcters," Mrs. Arroyo said. "These extortionists make lives miserable for motorists. If you know any extortionist, report them to Gen. Velasco and within three days, he must act on this report," the President said.