Cops probed for ‘prayer meet’

The leadership of the Western Police District has started its crackdown on members of the Manila’s Finest Brotherhood Association Inc. (MFBAI) who had joined a controversial prayer meeting last Feb. 22.

This after WPD director Chief Superintendent Nicolas Pasinos has ordered four officials of the MFBAI to submit written explanations yesterday on why no administrative sanctions should be imposed on them for joining the prayer meeting.

Ordered by Pasinos to submit their written explanations were Senior Police Officers 4 Norberto Obrero, Marcelo Tadeo, Irma Domingo and Senior Police Officers 1 David Tuazon and Virgo Villareal.

In ordering the officers to submit their written affidavits, the WPD hierarchy ruled that the prayer meeting held at the lobby of the WPD headquarters by some 50 members of the brotherhood, was unauthorized as it was done during office hours and without Pasinos’ approval. The action was simultaneously replicated in all 11 police stations, according to the MFBAI.

Last Feb. 22, some 50 members and officials of the MFBAI lighted candles at the ground floor of the WPD headquarters and held a prayer for the recall of some 160 of their comrades who were allegedly arbitrarily "exiled" to provincial posts by the National Capital Regional Police Office over alleged minor infractions committed such as being absent during roll-calls and for being in incomplete uniform. – Mike Frialde