Shape up or ship out
All police chiefs under the Cebu Province Police Office have two months to improve their performance or face relief.
"I am giving our chief of police at least two months para po ipakita nila sa akin kung ano ang kanilang capacity to follow my orders, and after that ang kanilang performance ang magiging barometer if they will be, remain in their positions or relieved from current designations," said CPPO's newlyinstalled director, Senior Superintendent Manuel Abrugena.
He said the commanders must levelup their performance in the campaign against drugs.
"The first marching order 'nung pagdating ko dito is intensify 'yung campaign against illegal drugs, and finally para maalis ang hindi magandang katawagan sa Cebu and second is internal cleansing, 'yun ang tinutukan ko," he said.
Abrugena emphasized the importance of setting a good example. He said that with recent reports of policemen involved in illegal activities, it is his call to closely monitor scalawags and file appropriate charges them.
"To my fellow police officers gawin natin ang nararapat, katulad ng sinabi ni police director General Oscar Albayalde, a policeman should be of service with integrity and discipline. Paano kung mismong kapulisan ay magpapabaya and will help the criminals in their nefarious activities?" Abrugena said.
Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-7 Director Emerson Margate shared the same sentiment.
In a separate interview, Margate said PDEA-7 has been keen in its efforts to police its own ranks, following reports of alleged extortion last year.
He said that in Cebu two PDEA agents are facing criminal and administrative charges for misrepresenting Margate for their own personal gain. These two, who have been with the PDEA for 10 years, are now in its Personnel Accounting Holding Unit.
"We are really monitoring the scalawags in our agency, because as the regional director, sa amin din naman babalik yan. If asked, hindi naming pwede sabihin na wala kaming alam, it's our responsibility to monitor," Margate said. —
Mae Clydyl L. Avila/BRP