Philandering, nightclub-going Caraga cops warned: Your days are numbered

CAMP RAFAEL RODRIGUEZ, Butuan City — The days of Caraga policemen having mistresses and frequenting nightclubs, karaoke bars and other entertainment joints, are numbered.

Thus warned Chief Superintendent Alberto Rama Olario, Caraga police director, in a weekly cable TV talk show where he admitted that the wives and children of some philandering law enforcers have complained about no longer receiving financial support from these policemen.

This developed as Camp Crame has intensified its "morality and lifestyle check" on policemen, starting off with surprise visits to nightclubs in Metro Manila that are frequented by police officers.

Olario clarified though that policemen are bound by existing rules of conduct and ethics, barring them, for instance, from entering nightclubs and other entertainment spots, especially while on duty.

He said any of the more than 3,000 Caraga policemen found violating these regulations face disciplinary sanctions, or worse summary dismissal proceedings.

A policeman, he said, is supposed to be a "minister of peace and order" in his area of responsibility, and thus, must set moral standards to command respect from the community.

"Besides, Christian (principles) teach us to maintain only one wife unless a policeman is an Islam believer," he said in the talk show Isyu sa Caraga on Channel 17.

Instead of going to nightclubs and engaging in vice, Olario advised his men to spend quality time with their families and indulge in wholesome family activities and sports.

"They have chosen the career of being a policeman and so they must follow rules. If not, then I advise them to resign because philandering cops have no place in the service," he said.

In Baguio City, two policemen failed the "lifestyle check" when they were found carrying a caliber .45 pistol inside a karaoke bar.

Senior Superintendent Frank Manalo, Baguio City police chief, identified the two as JO1 Marlon Buyao and PO1 Nelson Gaddang, who is assigned with the traffic division.

Senior Superintendent Rodrigo Licudine, deputy regional police director for operations, has issued a directive instructing police chiefs in the Cordillera Administrative Region to conduct periodic visits of nightclubs and other fun joints to ensure that their men are complying with the ban, which also covers casinos, cockpits and gambling joints. — With Myds Supnad