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PRO 7 chief orders relief of cop, superior over violation of policy on uniform

Police official assigned to San Remigio was seen without the prescribed cap during work hours

APOLICEMAN who forgot to wear the prescribed cap was relieved from his post at the San Remigio Police Station.

The infraction, while considered minor, also cost Supt. Resty Santos his post as head of Cebu Provincial Police Office's (CPPO) Operations Branch.

Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 Director Marcelo Garbo said Santos has command responsibility over SPO4 Cesar Carlos Alburo.

Garbo saw Alburo in Salinas Drive Ext., Cebu City without the prescribed cap at 4 p.m. last Tuesday.

“Ganun lang ka- simple but I am very hard on this (It’s that simple),” Garbo said, citing the PNP’s “Tamang Bihis” policy.

The policy requires all members of the PNP, except those who are undercover, to wear complete uniform while on duty.

Warning

“This is a form of intervention tool so other police officers will be warned,” Garbo said.

The regional police chief also warned the provincial and city directors that they will be transferred if the men and women under their watch fail to comply with the policy.

“This will also show to the public that I am not afraidto punish my men,” he said. Alburo, when interviewed by Sun.

Star Cebu, explained that he took off his cap because the sun was setting.

“Mura sad ug kauwanon atong adlawa (It looked like it was going to rain),” he said.

Alburo was on his way home, waiting for a taxi near the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority 7 office. “Sorry gyud kaayo, sir. Mauwaw sad

'ta kay tiguwang nako (I’m so sorry. This is embarrassing at my age),” he said.

Santos refused to comment, saying he has yet to receive his relief order.

Senior Supt. Patrocinio Comendador, CPPO director, said he supports Garbo’s programs promoting the welfare of the PNP.

He said will convey Garbo's message to the almost 1,600 police officers of CPPO.

“If there's negligence on their part, we will be the one to impose corresponding sanctions,” Comendador said.

Last year, one of Mandaue City's awarded police officers was relieved for the same violation.

Meanwhile, a policeman was demoted by one rank for failing to testify in court. PO2 Bernardino Almeida Jr.'s absence in court led to the dismissal of drug charges against Rene Sayaboc.

Neglect

A summary hearing found Almeida of the Borbon Police Station administratively liable for serious neglect of duty.

Almeida said he did not receive the subpoena on the hearing as he was transferred to another po- lice unit.

But a summary hearing officer found Almeida's claim unacceptable as he should have kept track of all scheduled hearings.

Comendador said the case should serve as warning to others. “We always mean business here,” he added.

Supt. Audie Villacin, chief of the Regional Investigation and Detective Management Branch, said they are ridding their ranks of misfits.