THE PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) regional office here has assured that the two police officers arrested for illegal drugs trade last week will face sanctions as part of the organization’s internal cleansing.
The arrest of policemen in a buy-bust operation in Ormoc City is very disappointing as this would taint peace and order gains of the police force in the region, Chief Supt. Ariel Arcinas, PNP Eastern Visayas deputy regional director, said in an interview Thursday.
On Feb. 15, authorities nabbed Police Officers 1 Ronelo Felizarta, 36; and Pelboy Lopez, 31, in a buy-bust operation in Macabug Village, Ormoc City. A civilian listed on illegal drugs watch list was also arrested during the operation.
Confiscated from the police officers were sachets of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu, cash, mobile phones, and service firearms.
Felizarta, a resident of Ormoc City, has been assigned at San Vicente, Northern Samar police station. Lopez is from Palo, Leyte and assigned at Northern Samar police mobile force company.
“The arrest of these policemen proves that we are relentless in our internal cleansing campaign.
We will not tolerate this kind of illegal activity as those arrested will face criminal and administrative charges,” Arcinas said.
He told reporters that the process is ongoing at PNP regional and main headquarters to facilitate the stoppage of salary and benefits meant for the two errant policemen.
Police scalawags will likely face the most serious consequence – imprisonment and dismissal from service.
The PNP official said policemen still get involved in illegal activities even with the salary increase due to poor financial management and womanizing.
Arcinas said they are stepping up intelligence gathering to identify errant policemen. (Sarwell Meniano)
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