By Jennifer P. Rendon
A string of administrative charges were filed against six neophyte policewomen who were caught drinking in public.
Police Patrolmen Jean Tiongco, 25; Jeseel Cordivito, 26; Ma. Lorena Semilla; 26; Rose May Ogboc, 21; Shane Grijaldo, 26; and Pearl Joy Araneta, 25, will now undergo summary hearing procedures for their alleged offense.
They were charged for less grave neglect of duty, less grave misconduct, and conduct unbecoming of a police officer (for violation of Article 151 of the Revised Penal Code in relation to Municipal Executive Ordinance 025-D, Section 7 and Presidential and PNP Directives).
Lieutenant Colonel Joem Malong, Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) spokesperson, said the Discipline, Law and Order Section (DLOS) of the PNP Regional Personnel and Human Resource Doctrine Division sent summons to the six lady officers on Sept 30, 2020.
They are required to submit their answers to the charges within seven days from receipt of the summons.
Police Staff Sergeant Edmar Espinosa will act as their summary hearing officer.
The six policewomen were 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 when they were caught drinking alcohol at a restaurant on Sept 12.
A day before the six lady cops were caught, Major General Alfred Corpus, PNP Directorate for Operations head, reiterated to all regional directors the strict prohibition of drinking liquor in public places on all PNP personnel in keeping with the orders of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.
The apprehended police trainees are under the supervision of the PNP Training Service’s Regional Special Training Unit (RTSU)-6.
They were placed in the custody of the local police and were subsequently 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 return to the Regional Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit (RPHAU) while waiting for the resolution of their case.
The policewomen’s quandary started when members of Sara Police Station, to include 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 group.
“Their looks are a giveaway that they’re police trainees,” Pamplona said.
Pamuspusan has subsequently reiterated his order for 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.
It was later learned that an assistant instructor allowed them to temporarily leave the camp to withdraw cash and buy some personal needs.
