Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. on Monday issued a stern warning to police personnel to refrain from soliciting and accepting gifts during the holiday season.
“While we understand that some want to reciprocate our deeds, I said let’s be strict this time. We do not ask because we all know that we are all having a hard time making ends meet. Lots of jobs have been lost and businesses are still recovering,” Azurin said in a press briefing at Camp Crame in Quezon City.
He said personnel found to be engaged in solicitation for the Christmas season would face severe sanctions.
“Definitely they will be administratively charged and they will also be criminally charged under provisions of graft and corrupt practices. Let’s be together, it means we celebrate Christmas, and we can have fun without spending a lot of money celebrating Christmas,” he said.
Solicitation is prohibited under Presidential Decree 46 and a corresponding action will be imposed on any PNP personnel who will be found committing such violation.
Azurin said police personnel is also prohibited from accepting any form of “token of gratitude.”
He also urged the public to avoid giving gifts in any form to the police as a sign of their appreciation.
“Let’s refrain from giving gifts because the police might get used to it. This is why we made it a point to release their bonus early. At the same time, I urge them to spend it wisely because that came from the government. It’s part of the appreciation for their good performance. Let’s not cross more than what we are entitled to, especially if these are prohibited by law,” he said.
The year-end bonus and cash gift of police personnel will be released on Tuesday, which is equivalent to one-month base pay while the cash gift is worth PHP5,000.
Meanwhile, the PNP mourned the death of a police officer who responded to an indiscriminate firing incident in Caloocan City on Sunday.
“It’s very unfortunate that another life of our PNP died. May I request everyone to please pause for a moment of silence to offer a prayer for the repose of the soul of Cpl. Noel Ogano who died in the line of duty yesterday when they responded to a call of indiscriminate firing in Caloocan City,” Azurin said.
Azurin assured that due assistance would be given to the police officer’s bereaved family.
“The only way that the PNP can somewhat console the family is to fast-track the benefits and entitlements due him. Nakikiramay tayo (Our condolences to his family). He died as a hero yesterday at the expense of his life, unfortunately,” he said.
He also asked a prayer for the fast recovery of Lt. Col Jerry Castillo, team leader of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team, who was also wounded during the operation.
National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Brig. Gen. Jonnel Estomo also mourned the death of Ogano.
“Hindi matatawaran ang katapangan na ipinakita ni PCpl Ogano na walang takot na humarap sa panganib upang tuparin ang kanyang tungkulin. Ito ay tunay na kapuri-puri at dapat lamang na ipagmalaki (The courage shown by Cpl. Ogano who was fearless in facing danger to fulfill his duty cannot be overstated. This is truly commendable and should only be proud of,” Estomo added.
Based on the report, QCPD director Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III said the suspect identified as Martin Marlot Nuñez, 42, a former Philippine Merchant Marine Academy (PMMA) cadet, and a resident of Barangay 177, Caloocan City was drunk when the incident happened at around 10:30 a.m. at Block 31, Lot 3, Bougainvilla St., Maligaya Park Subdivision in Barangay Pasong Putik Proper, which caused alarm and fear to the residents in the area.
The said incident was immediately reported by witness Jayvee Calim to Pasong Putik Police Station (PS 16).
Thereafter, PS 16 operatives together with the QCPD SWAT Team led by Castillo immediately conducted a pursuit operation against Nuñez.
In coordination with the Caloocan City Police Station, joint operatives proceeded to the suspect’s house.
Responding police officers asked the suspect to surrender but he suddenly opened fire on them, prompting them to retaliate.
The incident led to the death of the suspect and Ogano while Castillo was injured. (PNA)
