13 rogue Cordillera cops sent to Basilan

CAMP DANGWA, La Trinidad, Benguet -- Thirteen erring Cordillera police officers have been reassigned to Basilan in line with the Philippine National Police – Cordillera’s bid to cleanse its ranks.

Seven were sent on Wednesday to augment Task Force Basilan on orders of PNP national headquarters, said Senior Supt. Angelito Casimiro, deputy regional director for operations.

There were eight of them but one filed for retirement after learning of the order, Casimiro said.

Last year, six Cordillera police officers were dispatched to Basilan after they were found to be involved in illegal drugs and other lawless activities, he said

A task force, Casimiro said, has been formed to focus and monitor police officers who are involved in illegal activities, those facing various cases, the subject of complaints from citizens and those who do not report for work.

Casimiro said like Basilan, the Cordillera has also received rogue police officers from different provinces and regions.

He said 124 police officers from Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula and ARMM were reassigned to the Cordillera regional police force.