Top cop in hot water for 'politicking'
Exactly a week since a warning was issued against members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) on the partisanship and politicking this elections, a formal complaint has now been lodged against a senior police office in Tigbauan, Iloilo.
Complainant is mayoralty candidate businessman Dennis "DRV" Valencia who charged that Senior Police Officer 1 (SPO1) Dennis Torres is involved in partisan politics.
The complaint as filed before Chief Inspector Larito Nobleza, Company Commander of the 606th First Mobile Group alleged that Torres went "back and forth in front of the house of one Luz Toledo throwing a belligerent stare at her" after Toledo joined the caravan of Valencia last April 9th.
"This belligerent attitude of SPO1 Dennis Torres instilled fear and apprehension on Luz Toledo given the previous conviction of SPO1 Dennis Torres in a shooting incident at Mandurriao, Airport," excerpts of the complaint went.
Valencia further added that said cop has actively campaigned for his opponent in at least two occasions as backed by numerous witnesses.
"The above-mentioned acts of SPO1 Dennis Torres undermine the impartiality and independence of the members of the Philippine National Police," Valencia ended.
Investigation was sought as copies of the complaint were submitted to Tigbauan Election Officer III Antonio Leñar Jr., Chief Superintendent Wilfredo Dulay, Police Regional Office 6 Director and Senior Superintendent Melvin Moncal, Iloilo Provincial Police Office Director.
To recall, Provincial Election Supervisor Atty. Elizabeth Doronilla called on the IPPO to verify reports of cops' partisanship. Earlier reports tagged Fifth District towns where the incidents are said to be prevalent.