EXTRA CARS
9 officers in the Central Visayas police (not in photo) are facing cases after Internal Affairs found out about extra vehicles they’d failed to declare in their statements of assets.
Ejoc says they also filed administrative charges against the Tagbilaran Police Station for its failure to follow operational procedures and rules of engagement
Nine active police officers are facing charges for their unexplained lavish lifestyle, which includes owning several cars.
Senior Supt. Jonas Ejoc, the Regional Internal Affairs Service (RIAS) 7 chief, said they filed the criminal and administrative complaints before the Office of the Deputy Ombudsman for the Military and Other Law Enforcement Offices.
“We have found out they have lots of cars that they did not declare in their SALN (Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net
Worth),” he said.
The move is part of the nationwide internal cleansing implemented by the Philippine National Police.
Ejoc and his chief investigator are the nominal complainants against these officers, who were relieved from the Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 and transferred to Camp Crame.
Eight of the respondents are police commissioned officers--the highest-ranking officer among them is a superintendent. The other is a police non-commissioned officer (PNCO).
Ejoc did not divulge their names.
The respondents are facing violation of Section 7 of Republic Act (RA) 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act) in relation to Section 8 of RA 6713 (the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees).
The administrative aspect of the complaints is dishonesty.
“Some of them are facing six counts of dishonesty cases,” he said.
Another PNCO was charged before PRO 7's investigation and detective management division for his alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade.
Ejoc said they lodged the charges against four of the respondents last Monday, while the complaints against the rest were filed last week.
RIAS 7 is still conducting lifestyle checks on 72 active cops, who are living in luxury.
IAS Insp. Gen. Alfegar Triambulo congratulated Ejoc's move, saying RIAS 7 is the first office to press charges against officers who may be involved in illicit activities.
Ejoc said they will reinvestigate dismissed police officials, who were reinstated in service. Most of the cases are drug-related.
“The President made the pronouncement that there should be a review to be made and to look into the reason why they were reinstated. We will render a report the soonest possible time,” he said.
Meanwhile, Ejoc said they filed administrative charges against Tagbilaran City Police Station for its failure to follow operational procedures and rules of engagement.
The city's chief of police is also facing grave neglect of duty for failing to report drug-related operations to headquarters.
"We will file charges against other units. Some memorandums have fallen on deaf ears of the commanders," said Ejoc.