‘MOONLIGHTING’ PRO3 COPS WARNED: ‘HEADS WILL ROLL’

POLICE Regional Office 3 director Brig. Gen. Jean S. Fajardo on Friday warned that “heads will roll” if her men will be found “moonlighting”  or providing security escorts to politicians and candidates.

She said they will be held administratively and criminally liable for their actions.

Fajardo issued the warning during her first command visit in Cabanatuan City, where she and her regional staff were warmly welcomed at the Nueva Ecija Police Provincial Office (NEPPO) by provincial police commander Col. Ferdinand D. Germino at 8:30 a.m.  Friday.

“Kapag mayroon tayong mava-validate na information na mayroon tayong mga pulis na nag mu-moonlighting o nagpro-provide ng security escort kaninuman na hindi awtorisado ng Comelec dahil tayo ngayon ay nasa ilalim ng election period, lahat ng galaw natin kasama ang pagpro-provide ng security details sa mga kandidato ay dapat po iyan ay may pahintulot ng Comelec,” the new PRO3 chief told newsmen in an interview at NEPPO.

She warned that the chief of police and the provincial police director in the concerned area would be immediately relieved as a consequence of the illicit activity of his subordinates.    

According to Fajardo, she already have the list containing the names of erring police personnel submitted to her on Thursday and she said it would be subjected to further validation and confirmation.

The Central Luzon female top cop also inspected the various loose firearms that were seized, surrendered and deposited for safekeeping.

Fajardo told Germino to make an inventory and subject the confiscated  firearms, especially the pistols, to forensic examination to determine if these had already been used in prior criminal activities.

“This year’s election will define what kind of PNP we have here in Nueva Ecija, so please don’t fail us, please don’t fail the people of Nueva Ecija, umaasa sila sa atin, so sana ‘wag natin silang biguin,” Fajardo said in her address to her men.

The police general also ordered the chiefs of police to designate “focal persons or liaison officers” for every political candidate to serve as intermediaries for their concerns and in order to avoid any possible conflict to arise, particularly in areas with intense political rivalries.

“Ang bilin ko sa kanila, is to level the playing field and to make sure na hindi tayo maaakusahan na tayo ay namumulitika at mayroon tayong papaboran sa elesyon na ito,” Fajardo added.