3 W. Visayas cops sacked for defying liquor ban

ILOILO CITY – The Police Regional Office (PRO) 6 (Western Visayas) has proven it is serious in its internal cleansing as it immediately sacked three personnel for violating the liquor ban.

In an official statement released Monday, the PRO-6 said three of the 29 liquor ban violators during the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) period were police personnel.

Brig. Gen. Rene Pamuspusan, PRO-6 director, lodged criminal and administrative charges against Staff Sgt. Roy Panaguiton of the Sebaste Municipal Police, Cpl. Arnie Luminario of the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO), and Staff Sgt. Paul Pingoy assigned at the regional headquarters.

Aside from criminal and administrative cases, the three were also relieved of their assignments.

“PRO 6 condemns the act of these three police officers who were found to have violated the liquor ban after having been apprehended at a QCP (quarantine control point in) Pandan, Antique, (as well as the) Sta. Barbara and Passi QCP, both in Iloilo province, transporting boxes of liquors on separate occasions,” the regional police office said.

Meanwhile, the PRO-6 commended the courage and discipline of the police officers manning the quarantine checkpoints in Pandan, Antique, and Santa Barbara and Passi City in Iloilo.

Pamuspusan said they were quick to apprehend erring individuals and confiscate the contraband.

“Rest assured that our personnel will continue to do its mandate as front-liners in this time of pandemic even as (the) region is now under General Community Quarantine,” he said. (PNA)