PNP officials told: Shun

Police officials in Metro Manila were told over the weekend to stop the old practice of soliciting the help of politician-benefactors or padrinos for them to stay longer in their posts.

Instead, what the police officials must do, according to Metro Manila police director Chief Superintendent Edgar Aglipay, is to work harder in fighting criminality, especially in the implementation of programs and projects of Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Deputy Director General Panfilo Lacson.

"You should refrain yourselves from soliciting the help of friends for your continued stay in your post. Once we found you remiss on your duties, we will not hesitate to have you relieved," Aglipay told a gathering of police district directors and station commanders during a command conference in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig.

What the police officials should do after their men are caught extorting money, not wearing proper uniforms or found violating the guidelines of Lacson, is to report directly to him and ask for reconsideration, said Aglipay.

"If I found your explanation reasonable enough, then I will have you reinstated," Aglipay explained.

Aglipay issued his guidelines as rumors flew thick in police camps in Metro Manila that ousted Mandaluyong City police chief Superintendent Rodolfo Tutaan will soon be reinstated.

Tutaan and Pasig City police chief Superintendent Raul Medina were ordered relieved by Lacson last month after operatives of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force (PAOCTF) caught their men on video relaxing inside barber shops and were not wearing proper uniforms during their tour of duty.

Tutaan was temporarily replaced by Superintendent Noel de los Reyes while Medina's post was taken over by Superintendent Ricardo Padilla, who's acting on an officer-in-charge (OIC) status.

Last Thursday, Pasig City Mayor Vicente Eusebio tapped lawyer-cop Superintendent John Sosito to replace Padilla, also on an OIC status.

Tutaan, who is backed by the powerful Iglesia ni Cristo religious sect, will most likely return to his post this month. However, there is no word yet on the fate of Medina, who is a protege of San Juan Mayor Jinggoy Estrada.