CEBU, Philippines - Some people do even the unwise to make their dreams come true. For Dojie Canindo, 31, this landed him in jail.
He was arrested Sunday morning after he pretended to be a cop, uniform and all. Unfortunately, a real policeman saw him and the absence of a nameplate and a badge was not a help either.
PO1 Boggart Anor said he saw Canindo in the street when he and the other passengers of the jeepney he was riding on the way to work had to disembark in Barangay Basak when the vehicle conked out. Anor said he was wearing civilian clothes at that time for his special assignment for the last day of the International Eucharistic Congress.
He said he saw Canindo cross the street but became suspicious when the latter, while in police uniform, did not have a nameplate and a police badge.
“Kana pa lang daan, na-notice na nako siya,” Anor said.
He became more suspicious when he noticed that Anor’s shirt was all buttoned up – or “close-tied” in police terminology – which cops are reportedly not allowed to do when outdoors.
He decided to follow Canindo and took the same PUJ he did. He managed to sit across the man and managed to hatch a conversation during which Canindo reportedly was inconsistent in answering questions.
“Mo-arrest unta ko pero nakakita man ko nga naa siya’y gi-holster armas, nga replica diay to, mao to nga wala ko ni-react dayon. Timing man nga niagi ang San Fernando mobile, mao to ako gisugo ang driver nga ipaapas ang mobile,” Anor said.
Canindo was arrested eventually and was turned over to the Fuente Police Station. Found inside his bag were a scotch tape, long-nose pliers, portable butane stove and a butane canister, and some personal items.
Frustration
At the police station, Canindo, a resident of Barangay Quiot, said he has always wanted to become a cop.
He said he did not know that wearing a policeman’s uniform is not allowed and that he did not have any bad intention of doing so.
“Ganahan lang gyud ko magsuot-suot ani gyud. Mao ra gyud na. Sauna pa man gyud ko ganahan gud nga mahimo ko nga pulis,” he said.
He only finished second year high school.
Canindo said his interest in joining the force was developed back in Sibonga town where he grew up and saw trainees at the Camp Ceperino in Barangay Bahay where the Regional Public Safety Batallion-7 is located.
He also said he wants to become a cop because he wants to put criminals in jail.
“Gusto gyud ko moserbisyo sa PNP kay gusto ko kanang mga badlungon, ato gyud nang pitulon kay apil mga relatives nato ilang ma-biktima. Di ko gusto og ingon ana,” he said.
Canindo said he spent P2,000 for the uniform he wore last Sunday from a tailor in Cebu City. He also spent money on the “9mm caliber pistol,” which turned out to be a lighter.
He said the money was supposed to be for a security guard uniform but since he did not get a call from the agency he applied to, he decided to spend it instead on a police uniform.
“Wa man nanawag gud. Mao to nga ako na lang gipalit ani kay ganahan man gyud ko mag-pulis unta,” he said.
He said that aside from the good feeling it gave him, the uniform also allowed him to protect his girlfriend from the bystanders in Barangay Tejero where she lives.
“Kung makakita sila nga ang uyab niya kay pulis, mahadlok na na sila manghilabot niya,” Canindo said.
He said his family has admonished him many times for wearing the uniform but he chose to ignore them because hearing people calling him “Sir” felt good.
He apologized for his actions and denied any link to terrorism. He said he panicked when he got arrested so he said ‘yes’ to all questions from the police.
“Mangayo lang gyud ko og pasaylo nila (cops) tanan sa kadako nga nabuhat nako. Kato akong tanan gibuhat, negative to tanan. Storya-storya ra to nako,” he said.
Raps
Police Regional Office-7 Director, Chief Supt. Manuel Gaerlan, said they will file charges against Canindo even after his mother said that her son is mentally disturbed.
“That’s their form of defense pero mag-fi-file talaga kami. Bahala na ang korte mag-decide sa bagay na yan,” Gaerlan said.
Canindo is facing charges for Usurpation of Authority and for violating Republic Act 10591 and City Ordinance 1743: Possession of Gun Replica.
He is detained at the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-7. The agency has been tasked to look into his background. (FREEMAN)