Police officers warned against selling Christmas tickets

Station and precinct commanders of the Philippine National Police (PNP) were warned yesterday by Metro Manila police chief Deputy Director General Reynaldo Velasco against selling tickets and other forms of solicitations to raise funds for lavish Christmas celebrations.

Velasco reiterated yesterday the national headquarters’ policy on fund solicitations and reminded the officers that failure to comply with the directive would mean stiff sanctions.

"I will not hesitate to relieve station and precinct commanders found disregarding this Philippine National Police directive against selling tickets and fund solicitations this coming Christmas," said Velasco in an interview.

There are 37 station commanders and more than 100 precinct commanders under the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO).

Velasco issued the warning amid reports that policemen are now selling tickets or soliciting funds from business establishments and gambling lords.

According to Velasco, it is a custom for policemen to have a Christmas party in their units, precincts, stations and districts with their families and loved ones.

But he emphasized that the celebration for the coming Christmas must be austere considering the present economic situation of the country.

The Star learned that among the tickets being sold at present by enterprising policemen were for golf tournaments, a show featuring starlets in girlie bars and other types of fund-raising activities with fictitious beneficiaries.

Velasco asked businessmen to report to Police Hotline 117 the policemen involved in fundraising activities so that appropriate administrative charges could be meted out against them.

"Their superior officers like the precinct and station commanders would be held liable should we catch them violating the PNP policy," said Velasco in an interview.

Velasco also tasked Senior Superintendent Miguel Laurel, intelligence chief of the NCRPO to monitor the streets of Metro Manila to determine what particular police units are involved in fundraising activities for their Christmas parties. — Non Alquitran