links: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/640227/honesty-teams-to-go-after-corrupt-cops
‘Honesty teams’ to go after corrupt cops
Philippine National Polic. FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—”Honesty teams” will start going after corrupt policemen once the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) starts conducting lifestyle checks on the entire Philippine National Police (PNP) force.
According to Chief Superintendent Reuben Theodore Sindac, PNP Public Information Office chief, ”honesty teams” from the PNP’s intelligence units will be sent out in two weeks to look into the properties and activities of corrupt policemen.
He said lifestyle checks on policemen have been a practice in the PNP whenever they apply for promotion and submit their statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN).
”This time, a re-energized honesty team will be dispatched from the (PNP) Directorate for Intelligence,” he said.
Each team is composed of police officers in plainclothes.
The honesty teams have been in existence since 2006 under the leadership of former PNP chief Director General Oscar Calderon.
“The only difference now is that a new mechanism has been created,” Sindac added.
Last week, Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II vowed to conduct an inspection of PNP members’ properties, starting from the policemen of highest ranks down to the lowest.
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Cops now prohibited to gamble, drink in bars, clubs
INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Policemen who will be found either squandering their money in gambling areas or binge drinking in bars and clubs will immediately be penalized.
Deputy Director General Felipe Rojas, Philippine National Police (PNP)’s deputy chief for administration, issued a memorandum reiterating to its personnel to live a simple and modest lifestyle.
“In line with the proper decorum for public officials, all PNP personnel are hereby prohibited to engage in any form of gambling and drinking-spree in public places such as cockpit/horse racing arena, casinos, bars, clubs and other similar dens whether on or off duty,” said Rojas.
He said all investigation and intelligence units will start conducting surveillance and inspections on “all gambling arena, casinos, bars, clubs and other ill-repute dens.”
Policemen who will be found violating the directive will be filed with proper charges, whether administrative or criminal.
Rojas is the second highest PNP official after Director General Alan Purisima, who is now embroiled in corruption controversies.
He added that policemen should not forget that they are public officials mandated to lead modest lives appropriate to their positions and income.
“They shall not indulge in extravagant or ostentatious display of wealth in any form,” he said.
Stressing a National Police Commission (Napolcom) directive to all policemen, Rojas also cited an order under a Napolcom memorandum circular prohibiting policemen “to engage in regulated gambling or game of chance, while on duty; and be drunk and disorderly while on off duty, or drunk while on duty and in uniform or in recognizable uniform of the police force.”
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