By Robert B. Roque, Jr.
Such a disgrace had befallen the Bulacan police last week when three of its men — Major Armando Reyes, Staff Sergeant Anthony Ancheta, and Senior Master Sergeant Ronnie Galion — were arrested for armed robbery.
Sketchy information reaching Firing Line says a businessman in Balagtas was the victim and that P30 million worth of cash and belongings were involved.
News reports have it that the three cops, assigned to Malolos City, Hagonoy, and Santa Maria, went to the victim’s house with four companions in the guise of seeking financial assistance. But later, they drew their guns to force the seizure of the victim’s belongings.
No wonder Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos is fuming and wants these cops dismissed immediately.
Last Friday, the three cops were subject to inquest proceedings as the hunt for their four cohorts continued.
Friends of friends tell me that one of the cops was just reinstated in the service two weeks prior, after a resolution on a previous drug bust case that went sideways. One of them is set to retire soon.
It’s baffling how these officers come to pervert the authority entrusted to them completely. As if the crime itself wasn’t shocking enough, investigators are verifying new information that at least one of these police scalawags even provided unauthorized security services to their victim in the past.
If all these allegations are true, these men are a disgrace to the uniform, their families, and the province of Bulacan. Justice for them should be unforgiving.
Expecting more from Recto
Finance Secretary Ralph Recto’s stance on tapping P89.9 billion in unused PhilHealth subsidies for unprogrammed funds passed by Congress has turned from deeply troubling to stomach-turning.
Critics are saying Recto has used his position to serve his own interests — and I’m inclined to suspect it may be true.
Former Finance Undersecretary Cielo Magno had accused him of being part of the congressional crowd that stuffed the budget with pork before landing his role as DOF Chief.
So, it’s not far-fetched to think he’s now using his position to divert PhilHealth funds into unprogrammed allocations that benefit those same lawmakers — a blatant conflict of interest.
The consequence is a blatant disregard for the health and welfare of millions of Filipinos — the most vulnerable among them: the sick, and the elderly.
This maneuver, right before the midterm elections, even reeks of the agenda to secure political favors and fill pork barrels, not about fiscal responsibility or giving PhilHealth members their due.
I expected more from Recto.
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