Pacleb sacks napping cops

By LITO RULONA
Correspondent

NORTHERN Mindanao police director Timoteo Pacleb on Thursday booted out the chief of the Macasandig police precinct and two of his men.

Reason: Pacleb caught two of the policemen napping in a patrol car on Tomas Saco and 1st Street, Nazareth, on Wednesday.

Ordered relieved from their posts were SPO4 Baltazar Daguiman and PO3 Rey Bustamante, and their station commander Senior Insp. Julius Saluta.

Saluta was replaced by Senior Insp. Abdul Alim Sumandar.

Officials said administrative charges would be filed against the relieved policemen.

The three were placed under “floating status” and ordered to report at the Holding and Accounting Unit of the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office.

Saluta was included in the administrative charges for command responsibility.

Chief Supt. Pacleb expressed dismay over the laxity of the officers when he conducted a surprise inspection on Wednesday afternoon.

Saluta said he respected the decision of the police director.

Chief Insp. Mardy Hortillosa, Cocpo spokesperson, said the Saluta and his men would also be charged with violation of police protocols.

Hortillosa said the officers failed to recognize their regional director who was wearing civilian clothes when he conducted the inspection.

He pointed out that Chief Supt. Pacleb issued an order earlier to step up police operations because of threats of terrorism.

“Pagduol ni RD (Pacleb) wala makaila kaniya. Wala gyud siguro sila kaaila ni RD mao ang usa sa ilang hinungdan sa ilang pagka-relieve,” he said.

He said what caught Pacleb’s ire was the sight of the napping policemen in the patrol car.

Hortillosa said police patrol operation procedures provide that officers should gather information and from time to time, should interact with citizens.

“Tan-aw tan-aw pud unta sila sa ilang palibot. Mo-assist pud sila sa community og mo-man sa traffic kung adunay kalisod sa dagan sa trapiko,” he said.