Eleazar to cops: Be extra vigilant during aid distribution
PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) chief General Guillermo Lorenzo T. Eleazar on Saturday reiterated his order on his men to ensure the orderly and honest distribution of assistance in areas that continue to give cash aid to those affected by the pandemic.
The top cop issued the instruction in the aftermath of the arrest of a Manila barangay captain and three others accused of pocketing the government aid intended for some poor residents of Manila.
He said that police personnel deployed in aid distribution should be alert and assist in making sure that those getting the cash assistance are the ones who are on the official list of beneficiaries.
On Thursday, members of the Manila Police District under Brigadier Gen. Leo M. Francisco arrested Mario Ferrales, the 73-year-old chairman of Bgy. 608, Zone 61 in Manila’s District 6, who was accused of allegedly pocketing the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) fund of two supposed beneficiaries of the aid.
The suspect along with three others are now undergoing investigation for allegedly coming up with fake identification cards and some documents of the complainants in order to claim their “ayuda.”
“I commend all the PNP personnel responsible for the arrest of those barangay officials who are taking advantage of the pandemic at the expense of our poor kababayan in Manila,” said Eleazar.
He also ordered National Capital Region Police Office director Major Gen. Vicente D. Danao Jr. to ensure that criminal charges will be filed against the accused who are now being questioned at the office of the Special Mayor Reaction Team (SMART-MPD) headed by Lieutenant Colonel Rizalino Ibay Jr.
Eleazar said he tasked the local police to coordinate with local government officials to discuss the steps that need to be taken to prevent anomalies like that in Manila from happening again.
He also urged the public to report to authorities if they know some irregularities happening during aid distribution.
“Maliwanag ang bilin ng ating Pangulo at ng ating SILG Eduardo Año na tiyakin na makakarating sa ating mga kababayan ang mga ayuda na para sa kanila, kaya hinihimok natin ang ating mga kababayan na isumbong sa inyong PNP kung may mga ganitong insidente sa inyong mga barangay,” Eleazar said.
