IPPO chief gets physical with ‘mediocre cops’

By: Jennifer P. Rendon

Disappointment was written all over Police Colonel Roland Vilela’s face after he made rounds in several police stations in Iloilo province a day ahead of the All Saints’ Day commemoration on November 1.

And he apparently showed his displeasure by “physically” punishing policemen who showed mediocrity in their work.

Vilela, Iloilo police chief, did not elaborate on such reports that transpired when he inspected several police stations in the province’s fifth district.

“Wala sila sa standards ko. They couldn’t even fix their own backyard. How would you expect them to help fix the whole town?” he said.

But according to reports, officers of Anilao Police Station fanned Vilela’s utter disappointment. He almost “hit” the chief of police if not for the fact that he was already old.

Vilela said he earlier told chiefs of police to fix their deployment of personnel. Police officers must report at 6 a.m. for their shift. However, most of them arrived by 8:30 a.m.

“Nag-alibi lang. Sabi nila 9:00 a.m. pa raw ang shift nila,” an incredulous Vilela said.

He flared up even more when he visited Barotac Viejo Police Station, saying he had them “mauled.”

“Pinagbubugbog ‘yung iba sa kanila,” a witness said.

He also kicked one of the personnel who tried to reason with him.

Some police officers were also told to perform squat thrust outside the station.

Squat thrusts are a form exercise in which the legs are thrust backward to their full extent from a squatting position with the hands on the floor.

Vilela said disappointment with the Barotac Viejo PNP was an understatement.

“Ang dumi-dumi ng police station. Wala silang traffic plan even if I told them beforehand to prepare a traffic plan,” he said.

Vilela also noted that the Barotac Viejo police chief could not even deal with his personnel.

“Kung hindi nya nga maayos ang mga tao, how could he lead an entire town?” he said.

Vilela noted there was only a sentinel or guard when he arrived at the station.

“I told them before that there should be zero tolerance, as far as discipline is concerned. Kung pinagbibigyan mo ang isa, dapat pagbigyan mo lahat,” he said referring to the police practice of excusing themselves from work to attend to personal matters.

“Puro na lang sila alibi. A-attend ng birthday ng anak… May sakit ang asawa … may pupuntahan na personal na bagay. They should have done it during their off duty hours,” he said.

As to personal celebrations, police officers should have scheduled these on their days off or simply apply for a leave of absence.

Vilela was also irritated at the sight of slippers in the police station.

“If they render a 12-hour duty, is it necessary that they take off their shoes. They don’t simply exercise discipline,” he said.

The Concepcion Police Station was also not spared from Vilela’s notice.

He said they could not even fix their own backyard.

“Maraming nakabalagbag na mga sasakyan sa harapan mismo nila,” he said.

Vilela also checked their booking entry and the last item was in August 2019.

He said it should not be the case since the entry reflects the chronology of events that happened at the police station – from the crimes incidents and complaints to the changing of guards and persona in detention.

“Puro sila lahat walang Integrated Deployment Plan,” he said.

So far, only the Ajuy Police Station spared Vilela from headaches.

He was also mum if he will pursue administration investigation or sanctions against the erring officers.

As of this writing, Vilela was scheduled to visit other police stations in the area.

“Clearly, they don’t pass my standards,” he said, as he reveals he would be doing more surprise inspections to other police stations in other parts of the province.