ILOILO City – Eight police personnel of the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) and Aklan Police Provincial Office (APPO) were caught not carrying their government-issued firearms during a surprise inspection of the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6).
Three of the policemen were from the Balasan, Iloilo police station – Senior Officer 2 Antonio Pastrana, Police Officer 3 Teddy Billones, and Police officer 2 Bryan Montaño. Police Officer 3 Gilfe Esposo, on the other hand, was absent during the inspection.
There were three from the police station of Estancia, Iloilo – Police Officer 3 Wencer John Teves, Police Officer 1 Reggie Perasol and Police Officer 1 Jerald Villanic.
There was one from the police station of Tangalan, Aklan – Police Officer 3 Jonel Octavio, supply officer
These policemen face an administrative charge of neglect of duty.
The surprise inspection on June 14 was conducted by the PRO-6 deputy regional director for operations Senior Superintendent Jesus Cambay. He said the policemen’s firearms were left unattended on tables – a violation of the standing order from the police national headquarters that all police personnel must carry their guns all the time.
At the Tangalan police station, said Cambay, he saw guns in the firearm rack and when Octavio was asked to whom these were issued, he failed to name the policemen concerned.
“We keep on reminding policemen they have to carry their short and long firearms all the time. Hindi dapat mag-relax, dapat naka-alerto,” said Cambay.
According to Iloilo police provincial director Senior Superintendent Marlon Tayaba, he would conduct an investigation./PN
