43 officers watch over Parian Police Station

SPO2 Protacio Meredores has been patrolling Cebu City’s mountain villages with the Cebu City Mobile Force Company (CCMFC) and inhaling fresh air in the past five years.

The police officer said his sudden transfer to the Parian Police Station in the downtown area will mean exposure to dust, smoke and heat, but he won’t complain as it is his duty to serve the public.

“This is a minor adjustment,” he said.

Meredores and 42 CCMFC personnel started watching over Parian yesterday morning, following the relief of 43 Parian police personnel whose colleague, PO3 Ritchie Saquilabon, was caught allegedly asking for a P20,000 bribe from a drug suspect.

“Medyo gyod naka demoralize. Tingali natintal lang sila, pero dili man sad tanan ing-ana,” he said. “Trabaho lang mi. Bisag asa mi ilabay, moturok ra man mi.”

Senior Insp. Porferio Gabuya, station’s officer-in-charge, reminded the police officers to stay honest.

“Di gyod nato sundogon ang nahitabo (Let’s not do what he did),” he said.

Mayor Tomas Osmeña threatened to suspend the police’s monthly allowance from the City Government if police officers continue extorting.

At present, police officers with lower ranks are getting P4,000 monthly from the City.

“If it’s clear that it’s wide- spread, I’ll suspend all their allowances. The reason here is to serve as a message to all other policemen,” Osmeña said.

He commended the Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 for relieving the officers and sending them to undergo training.

“I’m glad that they are cracking down on the police.” he said.

Parian Barangay Captain Jeremias Nuñez, for his part, met with 20 tanods yesterday afternoon after one of them was accused of being in cahoots with Saquilabon.

The village official, however, did not divulge the tanod’s name. The tanod was interviewed by police yesterday.

Nuñez said he had given authorities the pictures of the 20 tanods. Saquilabon’s alleged victim has identified a tanod, but was not totally sure.

He said he will dismiss the tanod if proven guilty. /