D.P.A. (Straight from the camp)
By Francisco Lindero, Jr.

Anonymous complaints

While the case on hazing incident in 601 st Mobile Company of the Regional Mobile Group (RMG), Manapla, Negros Occidental is almost left in oblivion, a corruption case filed recently against Training Director Police Senior Inspector Manuel Serra together with his Assistant Instructors creates another annoying noise of irregularities involving our police officers.

Sometimes, I really have doubt whether the big brass of the Police Regional Office (PRO) 6 take seriously the scandals involving their members. If they did, they must not have lifted a finger to take drastic measure to inform their subordinates of the proper decorum in airing their grievances. I have this contention because history seems repeating itself as to the manner police officers rally their advocacy.

Common elements of the complaints filed against PSI Arnel Arpon, PSI Manuel Serra and other police non-commissioned officers, who served as assistant training instructors, are: (1) the complaint is in a form of an unsigned letter, (2) the letter comes from an anonymous victim-writer, and (3) the complaint comes out first through media outlets and other concerned agencies and only later that the Police Regional Office is furnished with a copy.

"Anonymous complainants", who alleged as members of the Philippine National Police, are brave in bringing out the issues to the open. But, they are not brave enough to appear personally for investigation. If they have the evidence (substantial enough to support their allegations), they have no valid reason to hide their identities behind those unsigned letter complaints. Should they have given their affidavits or personal accounts of the corruption existing at training camp in Guimaras, the case can be more easily resolved I believe. But, if they continue to lurk behind the shadow of their letters, what they alleged as irregularities will not merit credence and will remain a hearsay written on a piece of toilet paper. Thus, it does suffice to infer that only individual with evil intent can make such dirty propaganda against the well-performing police officers. With this, we can already deduce how this issue would eventually end.

By the way, I am not particularly concerned with the veracity or falsehood of the complaints. What struck me most is the manner which these police officers bring their concerns to the senior officers, particularly to the PRO 6 Regional Director. I have to clarify that I have nothing against the media as they tackled the corruption issue at that training camp. Issues that interest the public should be made public.

But, is there a need to bring the problem outside your home when it can be first settled right there and then anyway? Do these victims-police officers believe that their case will only end up in the thrash bin should they not make other agencies and the media know about it? Or, do they believe that heroism is impossible without media intervention, or publicity for that matter? By the way, let me ask you this, if you have problem with your parents or siblings, is there a need to call your neighbors and tell them how your father or mother or sister or brother or any sh#* member of your family doing mess in your house? What do they care about the skeleton in your closets? They will only make things worst for your family!!! And, you will never be spared from negative vexations they call your family with.

I don't think this would be best, but I am confident that it is high time for the big wigs of PRO 6 to call for a conference with their subordinates and discuss with them the proper forum for their concerns. For an organization that endeavors to transform its image, it is but necessary for the PNP to educate its members to observe diplomacy in presenting their concerns and grievances.

The investigation being conducted based on the unsigned letter complaint is a proper reactive measure to pre-empt the situation from getting worse. But, this act should not perpetuate, otherwise we are not teaching our police officers to be more professional in their dealings.

By the way, should the allegations of complainant batch of police officers (Class 07-2005) are affirmed in the results of the investigation, would it also mean that they will be recalled for re-training to accomplish the module they missed out because of corruption? I recommend strongly that it must be done to make them worthy of being called the PNP SCOUT!!!

(Send your comments and suggestions to rogatepnp@yahoo.com or text me thru 09193161190.)