Key PNP official wants probe on Swat man
THE top official of the Philippine National Police (PNP) wants PO1 Joseph Alber, operative of Special Weapons and Tactics in Santander town, to be investigated for possible dismissal.
This, after he reportedly pointed his gun, while drunk, at a taxi driver on Tres de Abril St., Barangay Labangon, Cebu City at 2 p.m. last Sunday.
Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 Director Prudencio Tom Bañas said he received a text message from Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina, officer-in-charge of the PNP, telling him to investigate Alber.
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Bañas said what Alber did posed a danger to the image of policemen.
“Hindi maganda ‘yung pinapakita niya, eh, yung ibang kasamahan nila nababaril
namamatay (What he did was not a good sight. While the other policemen were killed) in line of duty sa laban natin (in our fight) against all forms of criminality,
tapos ito mag iinom (while he’s there getting drunk),” said Bañas. “’ Yung alcohol
huwag ilagay sa utak imbis sa tiyan (Dont’
store the alcohol in the brain).”
Bañas urged policemen to be mindful in their actions, as they could be subject to public scrutiny because of their job.
“Yung 100 na magandang ginawa ng kapulisan sa isang pagkakamali lang na
ginawa mo masisira (A hundred positive things the policemen did can be destroyed by a single mistake),” said Bañas.
Charges
Taxi driver Victor Patoria told police he won’t file criminal complaints against Alber, so the policeman was released from jail yesterday noon.
Bañas said, though, that they could still pursue filing administrative charges against Patoria, which may result to the dismissal of Alber.
He said he directed the Cebu City Police Office to investigate the incident. “We are trying to win back the trust
and confidence ng publiko pero pag ganito ang inaasal mo (of the public, but if you act like this,) instead of winning the trust and confidence you’ll be losing,” Bañas said.
He said he was dismayed when the report reached his office.