BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Two police officers in Negros Occidental are facing criminal charges, one for rape and the other for illegal gambling, provincial police director, Col. Romy Palgue, said yesterday.
A member of the PNP Highway Patrol Group is still in jail after he was charged in court for allegedly molesting a minor, in Brgy. Tinampa-an, Cadiz City, Negros Occidental, early this week.
The name of the police officer, with the rank of staff sergeant, was withheld by authorities.
RAPE VICTIM ONLY 12
The 12-year-old victim is the daughter of the live-in partner of the accused policeman, who is the chief of the HPG based in Cadiz City.
Palgue said the case against the HPG member is being closely monitored by the HPG central office.
Palgue also confirmed yesterday the filing of charges for violation of Presidential Decree 1602, or illegal gambling, against P/MSgt. Bebzie Nicor, after she and five others were arrested on July 25 in Brgy. Qiwi, Hinigaran.
Palgue said he already relieved Nicor as his secretary, pending ongoing investigations against her, but assured her of due process.
While Nicor and the five others were not detained because of the absence of a government prosecutor on the day they were arrested, he said the filing of charges against them was done through regular filing.
“The PNP does not tolerate any involvement (of its personnel) in illegal activities,” Palgue said.
Aside from criminal liability, the administrative liability of Nicor is also being determined, he added.
COPS HESITANT?
The arrest of the illegal gambling violators became controversial, after the policemen, who conducted the raid, were hesitant to give information to the media, although the operation happened on July 25.
Palgue blamed it on miscommunication. He assured that his communication lines are open to the media, especially the involvement of police officers in any illegal activities.
Information on the alleged involvement of the police officer in illegal gambling in Hinigaran, and on the cases of the five other police officers, who had tested positive for illegal drugs earlier, were relayed to authorities by concerned civilians.*
