35 CL police caught by ‘eagle teams’ face administrative charges

BY GEORGE TRILLO

SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – Central Luzon police director, Chief Supt. Errol Pan has ordered the filing of 24 administrative cases against 35 policemen charged with various offenses to boost the image of law enforcers in the region.

A number of the lawmen facing charges were caught by the “eagle’s eye” or “honesty teams” which Pan formed in various parts of the region to crack down on kotong (mulcting) cops.

“Corresponding punishments are given to those undesirable and incorrigible PNP (Philippine National Police) members depending on the gravity of their offenses,” he said.

The erring policemen, according to Pan, face reprimand, admonition, suspension without pay and even dismissal from the police service if found guilty of the charges against them.

He said “rewarding the good and punishing the misfits” would be one of his thrusts in the police force, including “checking internal discipline by monitoring so-called taba and kotong cops.”

“While the PNP is swift and prompt in punishing the bad eggs in the organization, rewarding the good policemen in the force should also be given the same weight as a fitting recognition for their loyalty and devotion to the service,” he added.

Since he took over as Central Luzon police director, Pan has handed out various awards and commendations to 721 police personnel.

The awards included 338 Medalya ng Kasanayan, 294 Medalya ng Kagalinga, and 89 Medalya ng Papuri.

Meanwhile, Pampanga police, headed by Senior Supt. Keith Singian, bared on Oct 23 the establishment of 26 “police boxes” called cambilans (shields) in busy areas in the province to reduce street crimes by at least 20 percent.

He said the cambilans would boost police visibility, enhance response to crimes, solve traffic problems, and create better rapport between police and local folk.

“The cambians will create the impression that mamang pulis is just around the corner,” he said.

“Intensified police visibility is a mode of bringing back the old glory of the Pampanga police force, when the mere sight of the man in uniform evoked respect and a feeling of safety and security among the citizenry,” he added.

Pan said each cambian will be manned by three non-commissioned police personnel and two traffic enforcers under the supervision of two commissioned police officers “who shall conduct regular inspections and monitoring of their respective areas of assignment on shifting schedule for 24 hours daily, seven days a week.”