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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Luzon devider 'Police morale up despite Espenido 'biggest crime syndicate' claim'

'Police morale up despite Espenido 'biggest crime syndicate' claim'

Published Sep 3, 2024 09:07 am

CEBU CITY – Police in Central Visayas remain in high spirits despite the allegation of a police lieutenant colonel who branded the Philippine National Police (PNP) as the “biggest crime organization” in the country.

ABERIN.jpg

ABERIN (PRO-7 FB)

Police Lt. Col. Gerard Ace Pelare, spokesperson of Police Regional Office-Central Visayas (PRO 7) chief Police Brig. Gen. Anthony Aberin, said the allegation of Police Lt. Col. Jovie Espenido has put the PNP in a bad light but it has not  affected the morale of the police in the region.

“We are used to it that from time to time, there are allegations against the PNP. Since we are a very professional organization, we continue unaffected with these negative comments. We take some of this as constructive criticisms and if we see that there are grounds then we will also make the necessary adjustment,” Pelare said.

Espenido aired the accusation during a recent congressional hearing. He served as the “poster boy” in the bloody illegal drug campaign of the previous administration. Espenido lamented that the table was turned against him as he was accused of being involved in illegal drugs trade.

While maintaining that police in Central Visayas were unaffected by Espenido’s scathing accusation, the PRO-7 urged him to follow due process.

“We call on Lt. Col. Espenido and other people who have allegations against the PNP or any of its members to press charges and provide evidence for these allegations,” Pelare said.

The PRO-7 branded Espenido’s accusation as baseless.

“The men and women of Police Regional Office-7, together with our families, collectively manifest our deep concern over the bare, baseless and unfounded statements,” the PRO-7 said.

"Espenido’s allegations are “clearly an affront to the police officers who, on a daily basis, silently perform their job so diligently,” the PRO-7 added.

“Some of us even paid the ultimate price by sacrificing their lives in the name of peace and security.  This is also worrisome to our families who are patiently waiting for us to come home safe during rest hours from work,” the 11,000-strong PRO-7 said.
 

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PRO-7 Lt. Col. Jovie Espenido
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