By Jennifer P. Rendon
Another one bites the dust.
Despite repeated reminders and impending sanctions, another policeman fell for the liquor sneaking bandwagon.
Police Staff Sergeant Joe Marc Ebon, 37, was arrested by his superiors at the quarantine control checkpoint in Barangay Velasco, Lemery, Iloilo at around 2:30 p.m. of May 21, 2020.
Ebon, a resident of Barangay Zerrudo, Sara town, is a member of the 2nd Maneuver Platoon of the 2nd Iloilo Provincial Mobile Force Company based in Barangay Cabaguhan, Batad.
Joint elements of 2nd IPMFC led by its commander Lieutenant Colonel Mario Baquiran Jr. and Lemery Police Station arrested Ebon and his three companions on board a Toyota Hi-Lux pick-up.
Police Colonel Paul Kenneth Lucas, Iloilo police chief, said policemen, especially Baquiran, were also surprised that they would be arresting a subordinate.
“Na-bulagà din s’ya but at the same time, he was really disappointed. I, too, am disappointed because for that amount of gains, our policemen are willing to risk their career,” he said.
Aside from Ebon, also arrested were Cyrus Erl Del Castillo, 38, and Elvin Adorable, 44, both residents of Baragay Anoring, Sara; and Mariano Borlado, 46, of Barangay Cubay, San Dionisio.
Policemen seized 69 boxes of Tanduay Rhum (375 ml) from the vehicle.
The suspects will be charged for violation of Section 14 of Executive Order No. 118 and Article 151 of the Revised Penal Code (Resistance and disobedience to a person in authority or the agents of such person).
INTERNAL CLEANSING
Prior to Ebon, four other policemen were arrested for liquor ban-related offense.
Police Staff Sergeant Jose Digcabo-on Jr., a Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) member assigned to the Regional Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit (RPHAU), was arrested at the quarantine control point (QCP) at Barangay Nanga, Guimbal, Iloilo around 4:40 p.m. of May 20, 2020.
The PRO-6 leadership claimed that the “rogue cop’s” arrest was part of its continued internal cleansing drive campaign.
Prior to that, three other policemen were also arrested and subsequently charged criminally and administratively.
Police Staff Sergeant Roy Panaguiton of Sebaste Police Station in Antique province; Police Corporal Arnie Luminario of the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO); and Police Staff Sergeant Paul Pingoy, who is assigned to the Regional Intelligence Division (RID) based in Camp Delgado, Iloilo City were also relieved from their posts.
