Eddiegul: Don’t single out Talisay cops
Talisay City Mayor Eduardo Gullas has welcomed the relief of five policemen accused of extorting money from motorists but asked the public not to judge the city police based on the report since, for him, such illegal activity does not only happen in the city.
“Prangkahay ta, dili ra sa Talisay. Tingali magtuo sa Talisay ra na. (Nahitabo sad na sa other places) pero wala lang sila nasakpi. Pasabot nako dili lang LGU sa Talisay. That's not an isolated case,” Gullas said.
Superintendent Jason Villamater, chief of Talisay police, said he has yet to receive the relief order from the provincial office against his four personnel.
He confirmed, though, that a police officer under his watch already received a relief order last week due to allegations of extortion.
Despite the recent reports, Villamater said there are no cases filed against these cops.
He believed that the allegations stemmed from a tip received by the Police Regional Office-7 involving an alleged extortion incident during an anti-narcotics operation initiated by Talisay police.
Villamater asked an explanation from the cops involved in that operation.
The policemen told him that they were conducting a buy-bust operation in a certain barangay when a motorcycle passed by. Because of the ongoing operation, they allegedly tried to flag the motorcycle but the driver sped off, leaving his vehicle behind.
Police suspected that the driver may have had some illegal business or sensed there was an ongoing operation.
The operatives eventually brought the motorcycle to the police station.
After a few days, someone identifying himself as the real owner claimed the motorcycle and showed its official receipt and certificate of registration.
“Nung may nag-claim nag-produce ng OR/CR, hindi yung nagmaneho ang nagclaim. Kailangan malaman ang identity ng nagmaneho, baka naman involved siya dun sa operation,” Villamater said.
The relieved officer is currently assigned at the Provincial Holding and Accounting Unit.
Once confirmed that the four other police personnel will be also relieved, Villamater will request for their immediate replacement considering that the city's annual fiesta celebration is fast-approaching.
“Gusto ko malaman sa kanila na satisfied ako sa mga pulis dito. Every Monday may open forum kami para pag-usapan ang mga trabaho nila pero we run for orders. Wala na tayong magagawa dun,” he said.