Aboveboard

We could only hope that the warning issued by the National Police Commission (Napolcom) to Chief Supt. Marcelo Garbo of Police Regional Office (PRO-7) about soliciting money from junior officers for a golf tournament would be the last served during his tenure.

Last time we checked with Garbo, the newly installed police chief said he got word from some businessmen friends that they were willing to raise funds to build a police precinct in a Cebu town.

While this is welcome news, Garbo said he would engage in fund-raising activities to build more precincts and the regional police’s facilities.

Why Garbo would raise funds for the renovation of a police clubhouse in barangay Lahug, Cebu City, the police barracks and his own regional office by soliciting funds from his own junior officers at P10,000 to P50,000, only he could answer.

Maybe his junior officers are financially blessed.

Maybe they can afford to donate or find other fortunate benefactors to sponsor the golf tournament, which is expected to be attended by local officials and big shots in the business community.

Where would these junior officers find the funds for the tournament and how much are they being paid anyway?

This is not to suggest that the PRO-7 inhibit itself from fund-raising activities so long as they are legal and appropriate.

Local government units like Cebu City and the Capitol are known to be generous in spending for equipment and office space for the provincial and regional police, even if funding for such facilities are supposed to be the lookout of Camp Crame.

Fund-raising, in fact, can be an effective way for the police to bolster their ties with the community. By asking citizens to contribute, financial or otherwise, Garbo can encourage Cebuanos to become part of and a serious investor in the Police Regional Office.

As long as this doesn’t distract police officers from their real job of keeping law and order.

As long as soliciting doesn’t slide into inappropriate begging or sly extortion.

And as long as soliciting funds doesn’t place them in unholy debt to the givers.

Some creativity wouldn’t hurt. The military and the police in Luzon tap famous actors and existing TV shows to raise their profile and hold concerts to fund their projects.

Garbo promised that he wouldn’t let favors distract him from his job as law enforcer. He should live up to that promise.

As a matter of command responsibility, Garbo should also assure Cebuanos that any fund-raising activity the police engages in will stay aboveboard.