Sinas mulls relieving all city cops

The Police Regional Office-7 threatens to relieve all policemen in Cebu City if it finds they are remiss in their duties and are involved in the illegal drug trade.

This was disclosed by PRO7 Director Debold Sinas in an interview with The FREEMAN news editor Fred Languido yesterday afternoon.

“We are contemplating on relieving tanang police sa Cebu, just like in Talisay… dili pa nako mastorya (when), but yes, that is part of the plan,” Sinas said.

He has seen no sign to do so, so far, as cops in the city are reportedly “tip-toeing” under the leadership of Cebu City Police Director Royina Garma.

“If ang police dili na mu-aksyon, dili na maginvestigate or conduct og raid sa mga identified na drug dens, kanang dili na mag-patrolya… so far, ako storya sa imo, wala pa ko ka-encournter ana,” he told Languido.

Last September, PRO-7 relieved all cops at the Talisay City Police Station after eight investigators were found involved in pilferage of evidence. They were also found to have failed to disclose the total amount of drugs confiscated during operation.

“What happened to Talisay when we found out some of our policemen are complacent and involved sa drugs, gi-ilisan nako tanan,” Sinas said.

Talisay City Mayor Eduardo Gullas supported the decision.

“After nagbutang tawo bag-o, nahibaw-an ang network (of illegal drugs), kay sa kadugay na sa pulis, naka-establish na og network, friends, and kumpares (too familiar)… If our observation is right, if Talisay drugs supply would be lessened, we will make it as a template,” Sinas said.

CRITICISM

Meanwhile, Sinas said he chooses not to mind criticisms against the police, especially those from Cebu City Mayor Osmeña whose words are political in nature.

Osmeña's said the other day, “I said before it's the police. Let me tell you, it's the police. I'm sorry I take it back. It's Garma and Sinas. Our police is okay…”

Sinas said yesterday:

“If pwede pa lang na file-an si mayor, filean nako na, but dili mi because that is a political statement, and we understand he is the mayor… and also, election time na. If you have no other issues and ang hit is police and killings, ang gipagawas niya is unhan siya. He likes to present nga ‘giunhan ko.'”

He said he cannot be frustrated easily, especially in public, because his behavior will have the potential to affect the behavior of his men.

Sinas said they have not been met with hostility by other local government units.

“Wala gyud mi kakita anang mayor of any municipality nga siya mag una-una mubatikos sa iyang police,” he said.

In an effort to abate the negative perception from the public on the police as far as killings are concerned, Sinas said they are improving patrol plans and other security measures to prevent killings.

Sinas also appealed for the public to help the police in solving crimes by issuing statements and even helping identify suspects.

Since September 26, at least 47 are killed in Cebu. —