Cocpo: police trainees cleared to perform task

AN OFFICIAL of the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (Cocpo) yesterday said the 18 new police recruits figured in a road accident in Gusa, this city, on Monday, have clearance from the Regional Training Center (RTC) before they left to fulfill a task.

Cocpo spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mardy Hortillosa II, who is among the participants of the PNP-sanctioned motorcycle training course, said they asked permission from the recruits' training director that they be utilized to transport the training materials to Camp Evangelista, in Patag, this city.

The trainees were tasked to haul lumber and tires for the regional police motorcycle riding course.

However, the 18 police trainees encountered an accident when the driver lost control of the Isuzu Canter vehicle after its brake allegedly exploded and crashed into a metal gate of Mountain Meadows Subdivision and flipped on the other side of the road.

Three police trainees lost their lives while 17 others were wounded, including the driver and his aide.

"Part diay to sa ila activity sa ila training kay gisugo diay pud to sila nga naa kuhaon sa Patag nga mga gamit," he said.

(It was part of their

activity during the training that they were told to get materials from Patag)

Hortillosa said the 45-day motorcycle training course participated by around 70 policemen and civilians will end in June.

Hortillosa’s counterpart at the Police Regional OfficeNorthern Mindanao (PRO-10), said police regional director Brigadier General Timoteo Pacleb has assured the families of the victims of the financial and other assistance.

“Nagpadangat si PBrigGen Timoteo Pacleb ug pahisubo sa banay sa mga biktima ug

nagpasalig nga motabang sa pagpahiluna sa mga biktima ug paghatag og financial assistance sa mga naangol,” said Lt. Col. Surki Sereñas said.

(Gen. Pacleb extends his sympathies to the family of the victims and he assured to help to comfort them by sending financial assistance, including those who were injured)

He said the police recruits were already considered as patrolmen but under temporary status. They, however, are entitled with benefits since they are already members of the police organization.

He also added they are awaiting the report from the RTC and the investigation of the police.

He said the police recruits

have just taken their oath barely three months ago. They were about to finish their academic course and will proceed with their militaristic training.

“Tan-awon nato kung aha ang negligence sa driver ba or if ever walay clearance sa RTC the person responsible for the movement of the police trainees will be answerable kung naay clearance from RTC ato nang mahibal-an sa investigation,” he said.

(We will see the part where the driver may have committed negligence, on whether the person responsible have clearance from the RTC for the movement of police triainees, and they will be answerable if there is). (Alwen Saliring)