Cop's nude photo "uploader" ignorant it will spread

ILOILO CITY, Philippines - Police Officer 1 Roland Rivera, 25, the one who allegedly uploaded on Facebook the controversial nude picture of his fellow policeman PO1 Christian Ray Gallofin, has admitted he was ignorant that the other people would be able to gain access and see the photograph in the social network site.

In the presence of Police Regional Office-6 director Chief Supt. Cipriano Querol, Jr. and media practitioners, Rivera said he did not know that other individuals could also get a glimpse of any picture he will upload, thinking all along that it was only he who could have access to it.

Gallofin, 24, said he was unaware that Rivera uploaded his photo, and that his only "sin" was being photographed in the nude. The photo, taken inside a room, showed Gallofin's private parts with two other persons behind him.

The other policeman PO1 Evangelio, 23, who was included in the investigation, said he just happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time.

Rivera's Facebook account has already been deactivated, but Querol said the three have agreed to face the public and explain their side of the controversy. They have been placed under restriction at the regional headquarters in Camp Delgado here while being investigated by PRO-6.

Querol earlier said the three rookie policemen will undergo summary dismissal proceedings that could take about two weeks, and they could be relieved from police service if found guilty for conduct unbecoming of a policeman, which is an administrative offense.

"It would serve as an aggravating circumstance that they are new in the service. In fact, they are still on probation when this happened," said Querol, although he had suspicions too that the photo might be fabricated. "With technology today, such possibility is not remote," he said.

The other day however Querol said there is a chance that Gallofin and Evangelio would be exonerated if they could prove their innocence for the spread of the scandalous photo.

The three policemen are new recruits for police service and have been undergoing Field Training Program at the Bacolod City Police Station 1 when the photo was taken and eventually uploaded.

In a related development, Querol reminded all his subordinates that the Internet connection in all police units is meant to improve efficiency and effectiveness in preparing and submission of reports. It was also intended to provide policemen immediate access to information that can enhance their knowledge and awareness, but never for personal purposes.

"I already issued a directive to all police unit commanders to warn their personnel from uploading indecent photos, videos and other materials in their social network, and remind them to make their computers and internet access for official use only," he said.

Querol also enjoined the public to report to his office by texting to 09202230577 or sending e-mail to [email protected] for any information regarding social network sites, blogs, websites and other online sites of police personnel that contain indecent materials.