Cop’s ‘campaigning’ faces investigation

The Central office of the Commission on Elections directed the regional police office to investigate allegations that former provincial police director Sr. Supt. Vicente Loot is helping his wife campaign for May 14 polls in Daan Bantayan town.

Comelec Commissioner Resurreccion Borra told Comelec region-7 director Rene Buac said after their investigation and verification of the complaints, he wants a joint report from the PNP and their recommendation.

Borra’s directives in response to the complaint lodged by mayoralty aspirant Augusto Corro, vice mayoralty aspirant Jose de Leon and eight councilorial candidates against Loot.

Loot, presently the Operations Officer of the Regional Anti-Illegal Drug Special Operations Task Force, is the husband of Daanbantayan Mayor Luisa Loot who is running for vice mayor and stepfather of her son, Sun Shimura, who is running for mayor.

Corro alleged that Sr. Supt. Loot is actively campaigning for them, and using his position in the PNP to his advantage.

Corro also said two residents in Daan Bantayan town named Ivan Lucero and Rogelio Emillada, both Barangay Intelligence Network members of Daan Bantayan town, function as a civilian security force in the town.

"The latter conspicuously carry firearms in Daan Bantayan town and terrorize residents, with nothing being done about them by the local police officials, understandably though regrettably due to the fact that the police officer in the town are influenced by their superior, Sr. Supt. Loot," Corro claimed, adding that both hold PNP confidential agent ID cards signed by Sr. Supt Loot himself.

Sr. Supt. Loot has denied the accusations against him and said he is willing to face any investigation to clear his name.

Regional police director Silverio Alarcio assured that an investigation will be conducted against him once he receives the order.

But he said as far as he is concerned, although Loot can go home to his house in Daanbantayan he should refrain from campaigning because it is prohibited.

He added the role of a policeman during the elections, aside from providing security, is to vote.

Alarcio also said he has yet to ask Comelec if Loot’s crowning of a beauty queen during a pageant in Daanbantayan town last February falls under partisan politics. — Jose P. Sollano, Flor Z. Perolina/BRP