Top cop vows severe penalty for officers asking for gifts

By Jennifer P. Rendon 

Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) director Colonel Noel Aliño has a rather “physical warning” against police officers who will solicit gifts during the Holiday season.

“Ipapakain ko sulat nila. Tatadyakan ko pa (I will make them eat their (solicitation) letter. I will also kick them),” he said, as he reechoed the earlier warning of Philippine National Police chief General Rodolfo Azurin Jr. against Christmas solicitations.

Aliño said officers caught red-handed deserve severe punishments since they already knew that solicitation is prohibited.

“Kung alam mo nang bawal, tapos ginawa mo pa, parang nananadya ka na talaga,” he said.

But Aliño clarified that he has not received reports of his subordinates soliciting gifts for the Holidays.

“It’s just a reminder for them to not even try. They should not ask even for in-kind items ” he said.

These include lechon and liquor, the most common items given during Christmas.

On Monday, Azurin reiterated the policy against soliciting and accepting gifts during the holiday season.

The country’s top cop said that personnel caught violating the rule will face severe sanctions.

Solicitation is prohibited under Presidential Decree 46, “Making it punishable for public officials and employees to receive, and for private persons to give gifts on any occasion, including Christmas.”