By Jennifer P. Rendon
Thirty-nine persons in Western Visayas were already criminally charged for their alleged involvement in anomalies in the distribution of the government’s Social Amelioration Program (SAP).
And the number could possibly grow as the Police Regional Office (PRO)-6 and the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG)-6 continue their investigation on complaints on irregularities of SAP distribution.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Gilbert Gorero, chief of the Regional Plans Division and concurrent officer-in-charge of the PRO-6 Public Information Office (PIO), said that 39 persons were named as respondents in 11 complaints filed from May 6 to 29, 2020.
Most of the respondents are 11 barangay captains.
Other respondents are 8 village councilmen and 8 barangay secretaries, 5 barangay health workers, and 2 liaisons officers.
Also charged were 3 civilians, a purok leader, and a Municipal Social Welfare Development officer.
Gorero said they were charged for various violations.
The 39 were accused for one or more violations of Republic Act 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act), RA 11469 (Bayanihan to Heal As One Act), and/or RA 6713 (Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees).
Some of them were also charged for falsification and use of falsified documents.
While they might have successfully hauled 39 persons to court, the PRO-6 acknowledged that more complaints remain unsubstantiated for lack of complainants or witnesses to stand in court.
That’s why, “the PRO-6 leadership and the CIDG-6 appreciate the courage and cooperation of the community in reporting the alleged anomalies in the distribution of SAP in their respective barangays and for standing up for truth,” Police Brigadier General Rene Pamuspusan, Western Visayas police chief, said.
He also appealed to the public to continuously reporting the nearest police station or through PRO6 SAP hotlines any irregularities in the distribution of SAP.
“Again, corruption has no place in Western Visayas in this time of pandemic,” Pamuspusan said.
