QCPD chief on ‘kotong’ scandal: Love birds in cars ‘not our priority’
ALBANO Photo by MARIANNE BERMUDEZ
He should be alarmed because of the scandal caused by his subordinates.
The chief of the Quezon City Police District had to explain Friday that acts of intimacy in the privacy of one’s car are not tantamount to the crime of alarm and scandal, after two of his men allegedly cited that supposed offense to extort money from a couple.
“That is not our priority. Our priority is the anticriminality campaign,” said QCPD director Chief Supt. Richard Albano, who ordered the district’s 12 station commanders to put a stop to this abusive practice among their patrol teams.
In a press conference, Albano said he was of the opinion that acts of intimacy inside one’s car do not constitute a criminal offense. “It is within the privacy of one’s car, so there is nothing alarming or scandalous in that,” he said.
“I will personally hold all station commanders responsible for their men if another extortion incident like this happens again,” he added.
PO1 RONALDO Que Englis
Later in an interview, Albano said he had not heard of anyone being arrested and formally charged for committing alarm and scandal inside one’s vehicle, but admitted that some lawmen had been using that “trumped-up” charge for their extortion racket.
According to Article 155 of the Revised Penal Code, “Alarms and Scandals” are committed by persons who discharge any firearm or other explosives in a public place and cause alarm or danger; or those who instigate other disorderly activities that disturb the peace, whether intoxicated or not. The offense is punishable by arresto menor (imprisonment for one to 30 days) or a fine not exceeding P200.
Albano issued the directive following the arrest of PO1s Ronaldo Englis and Ronald Mansibang, both of the Galas station, who allegedly demanded P20,000 from a 22-year-old man and his girlfriend who was then in a car parked in New Manila Tuesday night. The officers claimed that the couple were committing scandalous acts in public but that they could go free if they just pay up.
PO1 ROLAND Roman Mansibang
Denying the allegation, the man managed to call the spokesperson of the Philippine National Police, Chief Supt. Reuben Theodore Sindac,
for help.
Sindac personally went to the scene and the two policemen were later arrested in a follow-up operation. Aside from Mansibang and Englis, another QCPD member who is currently absent without leave (AWOL), PO1 Christopher Lucky dela Peña, is also facing investigation for alleged involvement in the extortion attempt.
“To Dela Peña, if you are innocent, then come out of hiding,” Albano said.
PO1 CHRISTOPHER Lucky Dee dela Peña
According to QCPD deputy director for administration Senior Supt. Joel Pagdilao, Englis, 39, entered the service in 2003. Dela Peña, 26, started in 2010 while Mansibang, 28, became a policeman in 2012, he added.
The three are facing administrative charges for grave misconduct, which is punishable by dismissal. With Inquirer Research
