A photo of detainees riding a Public Utility Jeepney (PUJ) with other p(–foul word(s) removed–)engers in Bacolod City went viral online and drew negative reactions from social media sites after it was posted online.
Inmates in PUJ (Photo Credit: Watchmen Daily Journal)
The incident happened last Monday, April 21, 2014 at the vicinity of Gatuslao Street in front of the Bacolod City Hall of Justice going to Police Station 1. In an interview with the Daily Star, Senior Inspector Lanel Mae Lanado Chief of Station 1 in Bacolod City noted that their patrol car was not available to pick up the three detainees since it was being used in a follow-up operation.
The Police Chief added further that his men (–foul word(s) removed–)sed the situation and the safety of the p(–foul word(s) removed–)engers before they decided to transport the three suspects who were charged with minor offense. Sr. Inspector Lanado stressed that a policeman in civilian attire position himself at the rear portion of the jeepney while uniformed man, riding on a motorcycle was tailing them, to secure the inmates.
In a separate interview with one of the PUJ p(–foul word(s) removed–)enger, she noted that she was on her way to a mall when the jeepney stopped in front of the Hall of Justice and the three male inmates boarded the jeepney. Contrary to the chief of police statement, the p(–foul word(s) removed–)engers added that no one wearing a police uniform tailing their jeepney.
Meanwhile according to Senior Supt. Larry Decena, Bacolod City Police Officer-in-Charge in an interview with Watchmen Daily Journal, he noted that “If proven guilty, they might be slapped with suspension.” he said.
The Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) added further that there a possible sanction might be imposed against policemen who are under probe for allegedly violating the standard operating procedure in transporting detainees because they should be transported in a marked vehicle instead of a PUJ.
