MPD to weed out ‘ghost,’ unfit cops

MANILA, Philippines - Starting tomorrow, the Manila Police District will start weeding out “ghost” police officers as well as those who are no longer fit to serve in the police force, an official said yesterday.  

MPD District Directorial Staff chief Senior Superintendent Gilbert Cruz said they came up with “Oplan Lulubog, Lilitaw” to account for their personnel following Mayor Joseph Estrada’s order for MPD director Chief Superintendent Isagani Genabe Jr. to improve the city’s peace and order situation in 100 days.

Cruz said some police officers provide protection to casinos or act as escorts of private individuals while “ghost” police officers only report on paydays.

He said they have to check on their personnel because “if you do not control them, they might be out there doing something bad.”

Cruz said that weeding out unsavory police officers from the MPD’s ranks could be done in about a week’s time. There are a total of 2,625 Manila police officers tasked to protect the city’s more than three million residents.

He added that they will ask their Internal Affairs Service and Legal Division to find out who among them have criminal records or cases pending in court.

Police officers will also have to have their photos taken – including a full-body shot – to make sure their bodies are still intact, Cruz said. They will also have to undergo medical examinations to see if they are still fit to serve, he added.

Cruz also said they will also check the police officers’ weapons – some lawmen pawn their guns when they have financial problems – and scrutinize badges, identification cards and driver’s licenses.