Cop chief admits 3 to 4 ‘scalawags’ in his station

CEBU, Philippines - The chief of Talamban Police Station admitted that some of his men are drug protectors but he lacks the evidence to nail them.

Senior Inspector Bienvenido Miral said he had monitored at least three to four of them. Miral denied claims from Talamban Barangay Captain Dario Arcilla that at least 20 policemen in Talamban are receiving protection money from drugs.

“Di sad ko motuo nga twenty (20) pero naa koy na-monitor nga mga three to four ka police, sa wala pa ko molingkod diri nakadawat na ko ana nga report pero ato pa nang i-confirm,” Miral said.

Miral urged those who have personal knowledge about the illegal activities of his personnel to come out in the open and execute an affidavit.

“Sa wa pako na-assign diri daan nana siya nadungog nako, naa lagi kunoy tig-anhaan, mao lagi nadunggan rapud nako. Duna koy ngan pero way confirmation ba mao bitaw to ako giingon nga mo come out in the open kay mabuhatan nato og affidavit para mahimoan nato og complete action,” Miral said.

Because of the report, Miral admitted having lost his trust and confidence in his men, saying he is open to the idea of relieving all of them and reassigned to other stations.

 The barangay officials in Talamban, Pulangbato, and Budlaan lamented before the members of  the Police Coordinating and Advisory Council on Tuesday about the unabated drug trade in their areas.

According to the barangay officials, this is happening because policemen are on the take. But Miral claimed that some of the drug operators are also relatives of some barangay officials.

He challenged the barangay officials to name names and execute an affidavit against these police scalawags.

Miral said he has 42 police personnel in Talamban and they cover a wide area.

Superintendent Romeo Santander, chief of the City Intelligence Branch, said his office will validate the report and make a recommendation on what possible actions to take.

Santander, however, said the proposed police detachments in the mountain barangays will help solve the drug problem.—/FPL  (FREEMAN)