Three cops in hot water for liquor ban breach

By Jennifer P. Rendon 

Three police officers in Western Visayas are in hot water for violating the liquor ban amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis.

Police Brigadier General Rene Pamuspusan, Western Visayas police chief, confirmed the filing of criminal and administrative charges against the three cops who defied the liquor ban guidelines while the region was placed under the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).

The Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) recorded 29 liquor ban violations, including the cases of the three police officers.

Charged were Police Staff Sergeant Roy Panaguiton of Sebaste Police Station in Antique province; Police Corporal Arnie Luminario of the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO); and Police Staff Sergeant Paul Pingoy, who is assigned at the Regional Intelligence Division (RID) based in Camp Delgado, Iloilo City.

Panaguiton is facing a case for violation of Article 151 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC), in relation to Executive Order No. 17-A series of 2020 issued by the Pandan, local government unit; and violations of Republic Act 11332 (Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act) and RA 11469 (The Bayanihan to Heal as One Act).

Luminario, on the other hand, was charged for violation of Article 151 of the RPC, in relation to Executive Order No. 110.

Governor Arthur Defensor signed EO 110 (An Order Further Enforcing an Enhanced Community Quarantine from 01 May 2020 to 15 May 2020 to Protect the Entire Province of Iloilo from the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) on April 30, 2020.

Section 11 (Liquor Ban) of EO 110, prohibited “the selling, furnishing, offering, buying, serving, dispensing and transporting of alcoholic beverages, such as whisky, brandy, gin, vodka, rum, cocktail, wine, champagne, beer, and such other intoxicating drinks.”

Meanwhile, Pingoy was also charged for violation of Article 151 of the RPC and RA 11332, in relation to EO No. 110.

Pamuspusan said that aside from the criminal cases, administrative charges would also be slapped against the three cops.

They were also relieved from their assignments.

The three cops were arrested in different quarantine control points (QCPs) or border checkpoints in the region as they tried to sneak in boxes of liquor.

Panaguiton was collared in Pandan, Antique while Luminario was arrested in Passi City, Iloilo.

Pingoy was arrested on May 8 at Barangay Cabugao Sur, Sta. Barbara, Iloilo.

Pamuspusan said the PRO-6 hierarchy condemns the acts of the three police officers.

On the other hand, Pamuspusan commended the courage and discipline of the PNP personnel manning the checkpoints for immediately effecting arrest against the offenders and for confiscating the contraband.

“PRO-6 is serious in ensuring internal discipline among its personnel and does not tolerate any wrongdoings. Erring police officer has no place in PRO-6,” he said.

The region’s top cop also assured that PRO-6 personnel will continue to do its mandate as frontliners in this time of pandemic even as region is now under General Community Quarantine.