FIRST of all, happy, happy birthday to Ms. Maricar “Cacai” Lat a.k.a Sunshine, the ever-dependable and amiable assistant of Manila’s Secretary to the Mayor Bernie Ang. May you always be blessed, Sunshine!!!
IT is highly commendable how swiftly Manila Police District (MPD) Director PBGen. Leo Francisco acted on the news that a policeman belonging to the MPD created a scene by insisting on going to a casino while under the influence of liquor.
In doing so, he also issued a stern warning that he will never allow abuses to be committed by cops under his rein.
It will be recalled that PSSg Ryan Aguilar and a certain Quincy Santos were reportedly nabbed inside a casino after allegedly insistently entering and then creating a scene. It was also reported that they were both drunk when the incident happened.
What made matters worse is what came out in news reports, alleging that Aguilar had dropped the name of Gen. Francisco in the process of doing something that runs counter to the kind of behavior expected of policemen.
Also commendable was the effort of the MPD-Station 11’s Gandara Police Community Precinct headed by Capt. Fredwin Sernio which immediately responded to a 1:30 a.m. call for help by a security guard of the Casino Filipino, since they cannot pacify Aguilar.
As of this writing, the said cop, according to Gen. Francisco himself, had been relieved from his unit,District Special Operations Unit (DSOU), and placed in DHAS unit, with pending cases.
Francisco also assured that Aguilar will be undergoing pre-charge before summary dismissal proceedings.
“Na-relieve na siya at assigned na ng DHAS, kumpiskado ang baril, ID at badge at na pre- charged na sya ng D7,” Francisco said of Aguilar, who has been charged, along with his companion, with violation of Article 155 (alarm and scandal), physical injury and violation of RO 7489 (drunk disorderly conduct).
It was likewise learned from Gen. Francisco that Aguilar is not a close associate of his, as the latter reportedly claimed during the incident.
“Sa District Special Opn Unit sya naka assign. ‘Yung mga special units like DSOU, DIstrict Anti-Carnapping Unit, Drug Enforcement unit, Support units Traffic ay under the Office of the District Director.” So, there.
Maybe it’s about time that the police be re-oriented that their mere entry into any casino is prohibited.
The Office of the President through Memorandum Circular No. 6 dated September 20, 2016, considers mere entry or presence of government officials and employees in a gambling casino as conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service, unless the same was in the performance of official duties and functions.
In fact, President Duterte even ordered the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp (PAGCOR) to strictly implement Presidential Decree No. 1067-B, which, along with government officials and members of the Philippine Armed Forces and Philippine National Police, bans all of its agencies that are directly involved with government operations from both playing and staying in casinos.
The directive to strictly implement the order and prohibit all government officials from entering casinos was meant to immediately address the negative effect on the public perception of government service if those in public office are allowed inside casinos.
Even during the time of the late President Ferdinand Marcos, a decree was issued in 1983 wherein government officials were forbidden from entering casinos. The ban was to include students attending any Philippine school, college, or university, those under 21, military members, government employees and politicians as well as family members and children of the above mentioned individuals.
Duterte, in issuing the memo circular, was quoted as having said: “I do not want people in the government entering the casino. You are in the government with a measly income and yet you’ll be seen in a casino?” Good point, actually.
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