DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/02 May) – The police officer arrested on Tuesday morning for allegedly stealing cash and violating the 149-day gun ban of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) might be dismissed from service, Police Regional Office (PRO)-11 director BGen Marcelo C. Morales said.
In a statement, Morales said he would not tolerate wrongdoing of his officers, as he was serious in enforcing the Internal Cleansing Program of the Philippine National Police.
“Actually, I cannot contain my emotions. I don’t know if I would be angry or ashamed. This action by our colleague is very shameful. He was already receiving a higher salary and yet he committed this wickedness, worse, towards his fellow police officer inside a respected training center where the police are supposed to learn, and being honed to become good law enforcers,” he said.
The suspect, identified as Cpl John Francis Llego Casicnan, and detailed at the Provincial Mobile Force-Davao Oriental Police Office in Mati City, was allegedly caught in the act at around 8:30 a.m. by Pat. Rhealen Arce Aure stealing cash worth P5,000 inside the female barracks.
After being confronted, Casicnan returned the cash and attempted to escape, but Aure was able to seek help and cornered the suspect.
When brought to the Applied Training Affairs Branch Office, authorities also found out that the suspect was in possession of another cash worth P6,000, believed to have come from another victim.
Casicnan is currently detained at Tugbok Police Station and he will be facing charges for theft and violation of the Comelec Gun Ban, which runs until June 12.
“He is the kind of police who is not thinking – not thinking for himself and not thinking for the welfare of his family, and his love for the service was absent,” Morales said.
The other items recovered from the suspect’s sling bag included one Glock pistol, two magazines loaded with 29 live ammunition, one unit Vivo mobile phone, various identification cards and cash worth P2,350.00.
Morales said the suspect took advantage of the occasion because his colleagues were busy for the recognition day for the police recruits.
Casicnan accompanied a fellow police officer from Davao Oriental whose relative is a police recruit, he said.
“We never tolerate anyone from our organization who committed illegal acts or crimes. We will be very serious to sanction this erring policeman to make sure these things won’t happen again,” he added. (Antonio L. Colina IV/MindaNews)