Thursday, January 10, 2008

Editorial January 12, 2008 Issue

Transparency In Aklan PNP
By Ambrosio R. Villorente

As far as I can remember, it is in the time of current PNP Provincial Director PSSUPT Benigno B. Durana, Jr. which made the Aklan Police Provincial office transparent. It is the most transparent office in the province of Aklan in fact. With the proper motivation and encouragement of Director Durana, the Aklan Police and Defense Press Corps (APDPC) is organized.
Under the leadership of its president, Boy Ryan Zabal, members of the APDC on the one hand and the police on the other, meet every Tuesday afternoon of each week under the program “Talakayan Sa Isyung Pulis”. This program tackles matters concerning peace and order and the things the PNP does to promote, maintain and sustain peace. The talakayan maybe broadcast live in radio and cable TV or the proceedings are replayed in the evening or the following morning. Significant things taken up are published in the local newspapers.
Indeed the Aklan PNP is leading Aklan in transparency of what the police thinks, says and does. Maybe, other provincial offices in Aklan can emulate what Director Durana is doing in compliance to the constitutional mandate that “the people has the right to know.”
The provincial administrative office in the capitol can initiate its own program to inform the people among others as to how much taxes are collected, how much money was disbursed, what are the projects funded. The Aklan Press Club members will be glad to hear the provincial budget officer, the accountant and provincial engineer among others. The members of the media may ask the resource person some clarificatory questions like what is being done in Talakayan Sa Isyung Pulis.
2007 Aklan PNP Accomplishment
In the latest Talakayan Sa Isyung Pulis, Director Durana reported some general policies and programs aimed at transforming Aklan Provincial Police Office into a more capable and effective police service such as the 1. No Helmet, No travel Policy, 2. Bawal ang Pulis sa Sabungan, 3. Night Watch Officer, 4. Moral Recovery Program, 5. Implementation of No Take Policy, 6. Monday Flag Rising Ceremony and Saturday Rank Inspection, 7. Moral Recovery Program, 8. Salamat Kapatid Program, 9. Ang Mamang Pulis Aklan and Pulis Aklan Love Kayo Project, 10. Transforming Complaint Desks into Service Desks, and 11. Survival Guide.
In their police operation, Durana revealed the result of PNP operations against wanted persons where five (5) persons were neutralized. Three (3) members of the “criminal gang in gun for hire” were identified, arrested and charged in court. Five (5) members of the “Budol Budol” gang were identified and arrested. Cases of two (2) counts of Estafa and Corruption of Public Officials were filed in court against them.
In illegal drugs, 48 operations were conducted that resulted to the arrest of 44 suspects with 62 firearms and 11 explosives. In this connection, the police filed 43 cases of illegal possession of firearms and one case of illegal possession of explosives. In the implementation of special laws, Aklan PPO conducted 20 operations which resulted to the arrest of 40 persons and confiscation of PBA Ending, Lotting numbers. Some 21 cases were filed in court for illegal gambling. In cockfighting, one operation was done that resulted to the recovery of 11 “fighting cocks. The involved persons scampered upon the arrival of the PNP elements.
CHILD ABUSE
In prostitution, pornography and child abuse, the Aklan PNP received 45 reported cases. It conducted 40 operations wherein 46 minors were abused which prompted the filing of 54 cases in court against 55 suspects. A husband and wife were apprehended of cattle rustling and a case was filed in court against them. In illegal logging, the Aklan PPO arrested four (4) persons and confiscated 1,906 board feet of coconut lumber estimated at P15,566. Moreover, the police also confiscated 12,540.81 board feet of assorted lumber worth P312,628.20 from 22 persons involved.
The Aklan PNP also confiscated nine (9) fishing boats, fine mesh nets and assorted fishing gears. They arrested 44 persons who were either fishermen or crew members of the fishing boats. Some of them were released after paying the required fines while three cases were filed in court.
In gravel and sand and ordinary earth materials quarrying, 74 trucks were intercepted and apprehended. The trucks were released after the respective owners paid the fine.
It is here in sand and gravel quarrying where the people involved do not know proper accounting. There is a perception that more was dug and less was accounted and paid for its corresponding fees.
In the “No Plate, No Travel Policy” 170 drivers were found violating the policy. They were issued citation tickets.
The Aklan PNP management is also fast in recognizing commendable performance in 2007. It awarded eight different kinds of medals to deserving PNP personnel. It awarded 11 medals to personnel who reached 25 years of meritorious service; 10 medals for Personnel who were 20 years in service, one medal for “Paglaban Sa Manliligalig”, one medal for “Ugnayang Pampulisya”, 24 medal of honors.
Indeed Aklan PNP leads in transparency in the public service worthy of emulation and respect by other offices. /MP

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