General tells cops in Normin: Shape up

By NITZ ARANCON and ANJANETTE VILLAMOR
Correspondents

A POLICE general yesterday called on officers in northern Mindanao to pursue the campaign against criminality with “integrity, the highest degree of discipline, and professionalism.”

National Police Deputy Director General Ramon  Apolinario said this even as the police came under fire for the killing of a 17-year old 11th grader in Caloocan as part of the government’s “war on drugs.” The killing of Kian delos Santos by law enforcers under questionable circumstances has sparked a public outrage, and started a Senate inquiry yesterday.

Apolinario urged the police in northern Mindanao to be “tough on criminals but compassionate towards our peace-loving countrymen.”

He said erring police officers would be held accountable for their acts.

“Sa mga pulis na nagpupumilit gumawa ng mga katiwali-an, hindi kayo makakalusot at sisiguruhin natin na pananagotan ninyo ang mga kalokohang  ginagawa ninyo,” Apolinario said.

He reminded them of the need for police officers to be role models.

Apolinario said the government’s campaign against illegal drugs would continue without let-up, adding that the police should not fail President or betray his trust, and “show him that we are indeed worthy of his trust,  and that we are ready to sacrifice and die for our  country.”

He said the police would not allow criminals, including drug lords, to control the region.

Apolinario said this even as Camp Alagar reported a 17.59-percent decline in the crime rate in northern Mindanao since May 23, the day President Duterte declared Mindanao under martial law.

He said Camp Crame also noted a plunge in the crime rate nationwide, including murder, robbery, theft and rape in the country.

Apolinario came over to grace the celebration of the 116th Police Service Anniversary at Camp Alagar.

Accompanied by police regional director Chief Supt. Timoteo Pacleb, Apolinario inspected 45 high- powered firearms that were confiscated by the police from criminals  in Region 10.

He also led in breaking the ground for the P7-million construction of a new grandstand at Camp Alagar that would be started today.

Meanwhile, three police officers implicated in the Aug. 16 shooting of delos Santos in Caloocan City would be charged with “serious irregularities in the performance of duty,” said National Police-Internal Affairs Services head Allegar Triambulo.

Initial IAS investigation showed the officers — PO3 Arnel Oares, PO1 Jeremias Pereda and PO1 Jerwin Cruz — failed to wear the proper uniform during the time of the operation, did not use handcuffs and frisk the victim upon time of his arrest, failed to submit an after-operations report, and did not coordinate with barangay officials when conducting the arrest.

Triambulo also questioned why the three police officers did not take Kian to the patrol car and instead took the latter to a dark corner of a basketball court.

However, despite this findings, the IAS chief clarified that the officers would be given a chance to air their side.

The three were earlier relieved and placed under restrictive custody following the incident. Also relieved was their precinct commander, Chief Insp. Amor Cerillo.

All four are now detailed at a personnel holding and accounting unit of the police pending results of the investigation against them.

Initial reports are claimed that the victim was shot dead by law men after the former fired shots at officers conducting anti-narcotics operations in the area.

However, delos Santos’ family belied these claims as they have seen CCTV footage allegedly showing lawmen dragging the victim before shooting him dead. (with reports from pna)