By Jennifer P. Rendon
The six neophyte policewomen who were caught drinking in public were released from detention on Sept 14, two days after their arrest.
But they are far from being scot-free.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Joem Malong, Police Regional Office (PRO)-6 spokesperson, said the Sara Police Station would still pursue a criminal case against Jean Tiongco, 25; Jeseel Cordivito, 26; Ma. Lorena Semilla; 26; Rose May Ogboc, 21; Shane Grijaldo, 26; and Pearl Joy Araneta, 25.
All officers are holding the entry-level rank of police patrolman and are currently undergoing PNP Basic Internal Security Operations Course (BISOC) training at the 2nd Iloilo Police Mobile Force Company at Camp Jalandoni in Barangay Zerrudo, Sara, Iloilo.
Malong said the local police will file cases against them for violation of Article 151 of the Revised Penal Code (Resistance and disobedience to a person in authority or the agents of such person) in relation to Municipal Ordinance 025-D, Section 7 which prohibits the drinking in public places in Sara town.
They would also be charged administratively for violating PNP administrative rules.
A day before the six lady cops were arrested, the Directorate for Operations head, Major General Alfred Corpus, reiterated to all regional directors the strict prohibition of drinking liquor in public places of all PNP personnel, based on the statement of the President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.
“We’re waiting for the incident report from the Regional Special Training Unit 6 (RSTU-6). Once we have it, we would start with the summary hearing procedure,” Malong said.
The apprehended police trainees are under the supervision of the PNP Training Service’s RTSU-6.
The trainees were turned over to RSTU-6 under Police Lieutenant Colonel Ernesto Macasil, who also serves as the Course Director of the BISOC.
Immediately after the incident, Police Brigadier General Rene Pamuspusan, Western Visayas police chief, ordered the relief of the trainees from RSTU-6 and their transfer to Camp Delgado while waiting for the resolution of their case.
The policewomen’s quandary started when members of Sara Police Station, including its chief Major Jose Nemias Pamplona, caught them drinking liquor at Montejo’s Restaurant in Barangay Pasig, Sara.
Pamplona’s group was about to have lunch when they saw the policewomen.
“Their looks were a giveaway that they were police trainees,” Pamplona said.
On Monday, Pamuspusan reiterated his order to the Regional Investigation and Detective Management Division (RIDMD) to hasten the filing of highest administrative case against the police trainees.
“They do not deserve to remain in our ranks,” Pamuspusan said.
It was gathered that the policewomen claimed they were given “passes” to go out of the camp.
But Macasil denied giving his go signal to them.
It was later learned that an assistant instructor allowed them to temporarily leave the camp to withdraw money and buy personal needs.
