2 Pasay cops probed for soliciting gifts

MANILA, Philippines – Two Pasay policemen are under investigation for allegedly soliciting Christmas gifts from traders in Binondo, Manila, city police Senior Superintendent Joel Doria said yesterday.

He said Police Officer 2 Christopher Sarigumba and PO3 Frederick Tugade, who were assigned at Police Community Precincts 3 and 5, respectively, “have been disarmed and relieved from their posts” while an administrative investigation is ongoing. 

Among the possible charges they face are violating a National Police Commission circular that bans police officers from soliciting gifts and the improper wearing of uniform since they wore jackets while in full uniform.

“The penalty varies depending on the gravity of the offense, grave misconduct may result in dismissal from service,” he said.

According to the results of an initial investigation, the two policemen asked permission to go to Binondo, Manila to buy gifts for their families. They were formerly assigned to the Binondo police precinct, Doria said.

The two were caught on closed-circuit television footage making the rounds of stalls in Binondo, handing out envelopes to stall owners.

The police officers denied the allegations against them, saying in an interview aired over ABS-CBN that they were just visiting friends in their former area of assignment.