Mayor forces cops to pay stolen cows

By Mar T. Supnad

STA. BARBARA, Pangasinan — Policemen in this town would be made to pay the value of stolen cows if it is proven that they are remiss in their jobs.

Speaking at the recent celebration of the 14th Police Community Relations Month at the Banaoang Central School in this town, Mayor D. Reynaldo Velasco, former three-star police general, reported for every stolen cow in this town, the chief of police is going to pay 50 percent of the value of the animal, while his men are going to shoulder the remaining 50 percent of the amount.

Velasco’s unique action of imposing heavy penalty on policemen came in the wake of reports that in the neighboring towns, the theft of cows and other animals was just normal occurrence the past years.

But not in this town as the chief of police, Supt. Eric Noble, was adjudged one of the 10 outstanding policemen by the Metro Bank Foundation, a rare award bestowed upon on policemen for their remarkable efficiency.

President Arroyo also congratulated Noble for a job well done during rites held in Malacañang recently.

Mayor Velasco reported that his town is one of the most peaceful municipalities in this province even as he warned that lawless elements have no place in his jurisdiction.

He said that he had provided several vehicles to his policemen to enable them to be effective in combating crimes and to improve police visibility in all parts of the town.