BY MA. THERESA LADIAO
ILOILO – The director of the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) has denied allegations of police officers in the province receiving P50,000 a month as payola from quarry operators.
Police Colonel Ronaldo Palomo said he has not received reports regarding police officers receiving money from quarry operators seeking to skirt apprehension for truck overloading or out-of-route operation.
The IPPO chief stressed that the police only provide assistance to the Provincial Task Force Anti-Overloading and other concerned government agencies in enforcing Provincial Ordinance 2017-145 which prohibits illegal quarrying and related activities.
Meanwhile, from January 1 to March 19 this year, the IPPO has detained 99 individuals for breaching the aforementioned provincial ordinance.
Palomo said a total of 97 operations were conducted in collaboration with the Provincial Task Force on Anti-Overloading resulting in the impoundment of 99 trucks loaded with sand, stones, and other quarry materials.
Earlier, the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) has launched an investigation following allegations of a bribery scheme in quarry operations in Iloilo province.
PRO-6 director Brigadier General Jack Wanky revealed reports of police officers allegedly offering protection to quarry activities for a monthly payment of approximately P50,000.
The identities of these officers remain undisclosed as investigations continue.
While these officers might not be directly involved in the quarry operations, Wanky said they could be aiding the operators in circumventing and evading regulations./PN
