Napolcom chief issues warning vs corruption

"We will make you accountable."

This was the stern warning issued by National Police Commission (Napolcom) Commissioner Atty. Rafael Calinisan to all employees of the commission after one of its staffers was arrested for estafa and corrupt practices at the PNP headquarters in Camp Crame.

Noel Casabon, assigned to the Installation Logistics Service at the Napolcom Central Office in Quezon City, was apprehended by operatives of the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in coordination with the PNP Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group during an entrapment operation at the parking area of the PNP Mortuary in Camp Crame.

"We confirm the entrapment operation conducted through the joint effort of IMEG and the CIDG-NCR. Casabon is involved in 'fixing' cases for a fee within Napolcom. He solicited money in exchange for favorable outcomes in Napolcom cases and even for simple case follow-ups. The operation was initiated after former policeman Major Jefferson Guillermo filed a complaint against him with the IMEG," Calinisan told the Daily Tribune.

Calinisan also revealed that another complainant would soon come forward, implicating Casabon and other Napolcom employees.

"According to the other complainant's account, there are seven other individuals, five of whom are Napolcom employees, who are either tolerating or directly participating in corrupt activities. The Napolcom commission En Banc will conduct an administrative investigation against these individuals and impose the corresponding penalties," the commissioner stated.

"Worse, Mr. Casabon is using my name to further his corrupt practices. He claimed that I am a 'consultant' to a former Napolcom commissioner whom they intend to use to resolve Major Guillermo's case. This is not true. In my 17 years as a public interest lawyer, I have always avoided such dealings," Calinisan emphasized.

"As the newly appointed Napolcom commissioner, I want to assure the public that corruption has no place in our institution. A 'New Philippines' is emerging, and I will not allow the old ways of doing things to prevail in Napolcom. The days of corruption are over. The arrest of one of our employees for soliciting bribes is a clear violation of our mandate to uphold integrity and justice. Let this serve as a wake-up call to Mr. Casabon’s associates or anyone in Napolcom involved in case fixing. You have no place in Napolcom, and I will find you and hold you accountable," Calinisan declared.

He added, "As the 'police of policemen,' it is time for sweeping reforms."