A police station commander and his three policemen are in hot water after photos of their jail detainees being transported on board a passenger jeepney circulated on social media.
Senior Inspector Lanel Mae Ree Lanado, commander of Police Station 1, and his three personnel face investigation and may be meted with a penalty of not more than 15 days suspension if they are found guilty of transporting three detainees on public utility jeepney (PUJ) with other passengers.
This was disclosed by Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) director Larry Decena on Tuesday after he received reports that the three detainees of Police Station 1 were transported from Hall of Justice on Gatuslao Street going to their station on San Juan Street on board a jeepney.
Photos of the inmates inside a PUJ posted on a social media site drew negative comments from netizens.
The three inmates Ian Velarde, 29, of Barangay 10, Michael Tangian, 26 and Edward Sain, 30, both of Barangay 35, were charged for illegal gambling before the City Prosecutor’s Office Monday afternoon.
Decena said he instructed Chief Inspector Ulyssess Ortiz, chief of BCPO Investigation Division and Management Branch, to conduct an investigation on the possible violations committed by personnel of Police Station 1, including their chief of police.
He said the said incident could create panic among civilians.
“We cannot avoid that civilians will think the suspects have a criminal instinct or have an intent to kill because they were handcuffed,” Decena added.
He said personnel of Police Station 1 explained they were rushing to attend an inquest at the Hall of Justice and their patrol car was not available at that time.
“It’s not a valid reason to transport the inmates on a PUJ with civilians because they could have hired a jeepney or taxi with no other passengers,” Decena added.--Source: Sun Star