By Jennifer P. Rendon
Gotcha!
Six neophyte policewomen are now in hot water after they were caught drinking in a public place.
Members of Sara Police Station collared Jean Tiongco, 25; Jeseel Cordivito, 26; Ma. Lorena Semilla; 26; Rose May Ogboc, 21; Shane Grijaldo, 26; and Pearl Joy Araneta, 25.
All are holding the 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.
Police Major Jose Nemias Pamplona, Sara police chief, personally caught the policewomen as he was about to have lunch at around 1 pm of Sept 12 at Montejo’s Restaurant in Barangay Pasig, Sara.
Pamplona said he was in uniform during the incident while the lady cops were wearing civilian clothes.
“I just couldn’t let it pass what they did,” he said citing Municipal Ordinance 025-D, Section 7 which prohibits drinking in public places in Sara town.
Pamplona said a criminal case for violation of the Revised Penal Code for Disobedience will be filed against them.
Meanwhile, an investigation report will also be submitted to the Police Regional Office (PRO-6) headquarters as basis for the filing of administrative charges against the police officers.
For the PRO-6 hierarchy, the neophyte cops’ conduct was a grave offense considering that it was only on Sept 11 that Directorate for Operations head, Major General Alfred Corpus, reiterated to all regional directors the strict prohibition of drinking liquor in public places by all PNP personnel based on the statement of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.
Police Brigadier General Rene Pamuspusan, Western Visayas police chief ordered the Regional Investigation and Detective Management Division (RIDMD) to hasten the filing of the highest administrative case possible against the police trainees.
“They do not deserve to remain in our ranks,” Pamuspusan said.
The apprehended police trainees are under the supervision of the Regional Special Training Unit 6 (RSTU-6) of the PNP Training Service.
RSTU6 is headed by Police Lieutenant Colonel Ernesto Macasil, who also serves as the Course Director of the BISOC.
Pamuspusan has ordered on investigation on the training staff for command responsibility.
He further ordered the relief of the trainees from RSTU-6 and their return to Regional Personnel Holding and Accountability Unit (RPHAU) while waiting for the resolution of their case.
The apprehended trainees are still in the custody of the Sara Municipal Police Station.
