NATIONAL Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) director, Major General Debold M. Sinas yesterday reminded all his officers and men of the Philippine National Police (PNP) leadership’s strict policy against the use of recovered motor vehicles and motorcycles which is an offense punishable by dismissal from the force.
“Despite continuous reminders, there are still some NCRPO personnel who continue to violate our directives and use vehicles recovered from raids or other police operations,” the official said in the wake of the arrest of Master Sergeant Danilo Pacurib, a member of the Station Drug Enforcement Unit of the Quezon City Police District Station 13.
The QCPD operative was caught in the act of driving a car stolen at gunpoint and is now facing criminal and administrative charges.
As a result, Sinas ordered all his unit and station commanders to reiterate the strict policy on the non-use of recovered motor vehicles and motorcycles or they will fce the consequence of their act.
The official also ordered the recall of the PNP firearm and other government properties issued to Pacurib. He also ordered that the policeman be subjected to a drug test and be relieved from the QCPD and transferred to the NCRPO Regional Personnel Holding and Administrative Section where he will be monitored daily.
“Once he posts bail, Pacurib should be immediately restricted inside Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan where he will be subjected to a summary hearing procedure,” said Sinas.
Members of the Q.C. District Highway Patrol Team led by Captain Ruben Mission III arrested the cop while driving a black Hyundai Sta. Fe with improvised plates along Commonwealth Avenue, Q.C. 8 a.m. Friday.
The 47-year old anti-narcotics operative of the newly-activated QCPD Station 13 in Payatas was found to be in possession of an SUV which was forcibly taken from its registered owner at gunpoint along Don Jose, Sta. Rosa City in Laguna on June 22, 2016, said PNP Highway Patrol Group director, Brigadier Gen. Alexander C. Tagum.
The policeman who was on his way to work when apprehended opted to remain silent and avail of his constitutional rights. He is now facing charges for violation of the anti-carnapping and anti-fencing law, said Tagum.
PNP chief, General Camilo Pancratius P. Cascolan earlier said there will be no more warnings for police officers and men who have the habit of using recovered motor vehicles and motorcycles.
The PNP chief ordered the PNP-HPG and the Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group to step-up their campaign against police officers and men using ‘hot cars’ including recovered stolen motor vehicles and motorcycles.
The PNP chief also ordered a nationwide inspection and inventory of all motor vehicles impounded as evidence in different police headquarters to prevent their unauthorized use by some erring policemen.
Cascolan instructed Tagum and PNP-IMEG director, Brig. Gen. Benjamin C. Acorda Jr. to coordinate with concerned police commanders their conduct of surprise camp lockdown to inspect ‘unregistered, recovered, impounded and carnapped or stolen vehicles’ being driven by some unscrupulous persons.
The top cop instructed PNP Director for Operations, Major Gen. Alfred S. Corpus to reiterate his order for all 17 Police Regional Office directors and commanders of different PNP National Operational and Administrative Support Units to fully implement PNP Standard Operating Procedure or PNP-SOP No. 2011-004 or the Revised Procedure in the Reporting and Disposition of Stolen and Recovered /Impounded Motor Vehicles.’
According to PNP spokesman, Colonel Ysmael S. Yu, the PNP chief wants to ensure that policemen will be fully prohibited from using unregistered, recovered, impounded and stolen motor vehicles and motorcycles or even removing any parts or accessories of these vehicles.
Cascolan also ordered all 17 police regional directors to conduct an inventory of all impounded evidence vehicles currently under the custody of units holding office in their headquarters for inspection by the HPG and the IMEG.
The PNP chief warned police personnel found to be using evidence vehicles of stiff administrative sanctions for “infidelity in the custody of evidence” while those in possession of undocumented or stolen vehicles will face appropriate criminal charges.
“The PNP internal cleansing program will be put into action without fear or favor. There will be no sacred cows in this drive, whoever is involved, let the axe fall where it may. We owe it to President Rodrigo R Duterte and to the Filipino people that the PNP should take the lead, and lead by example in the national crusade against crime and corruption,” Gen. Cascolan said.
