Cops warned of suspension, demotion

MANILA, Philippines - Metro police chief Director Roberto Rosales warned policemen yesterday of demotion and suspension should they continue to report to city and municipal halls after the police detachments were already dissolved.

Rosales expects no more policemen reporting to city and municipal halls after the abolition of police detachments after today’s deadline.

“Those who continue reporting at city and municipal halls will have their pictures taken so we could file insubordination and other administrative charges which carries a penalty of demotion or suspension depending on the severity of their offense,” said Rosales in an interview.

The Metro police chief noted that policemen have a sworn duty to serve and protect the populace and not the politicians.

He said that city and munici­pal halls in Metro Manila should be guarded by civil security units (CSUs), who could be fully armed but their weapons duly licensed. “The CSUs should be only confined to the vicinity of city and municipal halls and they are not allowed to conduct raids and make arrest for violation of ordinan­ces,” Rosales said.

Philippine National Police chief Director General Jesus Verzosa ordered the dismantling of police detachments in city and municipal halls nationwide to level the playing field among politicians in the coming May elections. Verzosa said that elements of police detachments in city and munici­pal halls often dubbed as “mayor’s squad” are used by politicians in collecting grease money from criminal gangs.