BY GLENDA SOLOGASTOA
ILOILO – The lifestyle check on policemen should not only cleanse the Philippine National Police (PNP) of misfits who resort to illegal activities to sustain their lavish lifestyles. It should also draw attention to the plight of many policemen living in poor conditions.
Secretary Mar Roxas of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) ordered a lifestyle check on all policemen after the Sept. 1 robbery-abduction incident in Metro Manila involving several policemen.
Senior Superintendent Cornelio Salinas, director of the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO), said the check is one way for the police to regain the public’s trust and confidence.
But he prayed that it also puts the spotlight on the plight of many honest, hardworking but poor policemen.
“The better implication of the lifestyle check is that we can come up with corresponding fast interventions or remedies,” said Salinas.
It should result to more programs and projects that will alleviate the living conditions of these policemen, stressed Salinas.
Many policemen do not have houses of their own, he said. They either rent houses or rooms, or live with in-laws, while others prefer staying in the barracks.
“We have lots of poor police officers who send their children to school with promissory notes, or live on loans,” said Salinas.
It is worse for poor policemen who get injured while performing their duties, he said.
“Some can hardly pay their hospital bills,” said Salinas.
The lifestyle check would initially cover high-ranking police officials like PNP chief, Director General Alan Purisima, and policemen found to have millions of pesos in assets.
Eventually, the entire 150,000-strong police force will undergo lifestyle check.
Salinas said the lifestyle check should also bring to light the plight of poor policemen facing criminal charges in the course of doing their duties.
He cited as example the case of Inspector Rey Castro and Police Office 3 Aaron Gaton in Dumangas, Iloilo. They were accused of shooting poultry dealer Pinky Decolongon on Jan. 2, 2014 at the public market.
Castro and Gaton had received information that a man with a gun was making trouble at the meat section of the public market.
Since Castro was the officer of the day and Gaton was duty investigator, they proceeded to the market. They asked Decolongon to calm down and surrender his firearm.
But instead of surrendering, Decolongon fired at the cops.
To immobilize Decolongon, Castro shot him on the left thigh.
Decolongon reportedly tried to shoot the two policemen again but Castro was quick enough to shoot the poultry dealer with his .9mm pistol.
Decolongon died of a gunshot wound on the chest.
“The supposed target of our men was the shoulder but since Decolongon was moving, he was accidentally hit on the chest,” said Salinas.
Now, Castro and Gaton have an added financial burden – litigation expenses.
Meanwhile, Salinas hopes that policemen who fail the lifestyle check would be meted with sanctions fast.
“They should not live beyond their means or look for other sources of income that are illegal” said Salinas./PN
