Eleazar orders probe on erring cops' modus of delaying release of detainees
Gen. Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar, chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), ordered on Monday, Sept. 6, a thorough investigation on the alleged alleged money-making modus of some erring policemen involving detainees under police custody.
"I received complaints about the alleged illegal activities involving erring policemen wherein they would deliberately delay the release of the detainees despite the release order from the court and complying with the necessary requirements after posting bail," said Eleazar.
"The deliberate delay for the release is allegedly intended to make money from the detainees and their relatives through 'board and lodging fee', 'protection fee' and even 'visitation fee' as reported by some of the victims," he added.
Based on the complaint, erring policemen would allegedly reason out that they could not yet release the detainees despite the court order as they still have to check if the subject detainees are facing other cases.
Eleazar emphasized that a background check on detainees must be done right after the arrest, purposely to determine if the subject detainees are also facing other cases or wanted for other criminal activities.
“I am also ordering all chiefs of police and other unit commanders to immediately release detainees under their custody if a court order is already issued and if the subject detainees have already complied with all the requirements for their release, except if they have other pending cases and if there are other legal grounds to continue their detention,” said Eleazar.
The order, according to Eleazar, is to ensure not only the respect to the due process and existing laws but also to deny a few erring policemen to take advantage of the detainees and their relatives.
"We will not allow this kind of corruption in our ranks and I assure that those policemen involve will be held responsible," said Eleazar.