TACLOBAN CITY-The Philippine National Police (PNP) has issued guidelines concerning tattoos or body markings that must be followed by police officers, including those aspiring to join the force.

Based on Memorandum Circular No. 2024-23, all PNP personnel, whether uniformed or non-uniformed, are required to submit an affidavit detailing the location of their tattoos and the reasons behind their choice to get inked.

Col. Jean Fajardo, PNP spokesperson, clarified that individuals with tattoos are not permitted to enter the police force and must have them removed before applying.

For existing police officers with tattoos, they must provide information on the nature and location of their tattoos. Additionally, obtaining new tattoos, particularly those visible in areas not covered by the uniform, is now prohibited.

Moreover, existing tattoos cannot be modified or expanded upon. Tattoos depicting extremism, racism, sexism, or other offensive themes are strictly forbidden.

The PNP introduced these regulations due to the prevalence of tattoos among police officers, particularly in areas not concealed by the uniform.

Fajardo emphasized that while tattooing may be considered a form of expression, it is not permitted within the strict confines of the PNP’s organizational standards.

Failure to comply with these directives may result in administrative action being taken against the individual, including the possibility of facing disciplinary proceedings or termination.

This mandate will be officially published in the Official Gazette and will take effect 15 days after its publication.
(MARY ANN M.OLAYA, LEYTE NORMAL UNIVERSITY STUDENT INTERN)

ORMOC CITY-A newly identified drug peddler was arrested during a buy-bust operation in Palompon town, Leyte on April 22.

Palompon chief of police, Captain Rhealthur Tabernero identified the suspect as Sonny Poblete, alias “Sanning”, 45, and a resident of Barangay Guiwan II of the said town where the sting operation conducted by the anti-narcotics operatives was conducted at about 1:15 pm.

Recovered from the possession of the suspect was one sachet containing a white crystalline substance suspected to be shabu procured by an operative in the amount of P1,000.

During the conduct of a body search witnessed by an elected barangay official and a representative from the local media, the searching cops recovered five more sachets containing the same suspected shabu placed inside a coin pouch and cash worth P10,460.

The suspect, according to the police, was already arrested on the same offense in 2002 but was released in 2010 after he was acquitted of his offense but went back into the illegal trade resulting in his arrest.

Charges of violations of sections 5 (selling illegal drugs) and 11 (possession of illegal drugs) of Article II of RA 9165, the Comprehensive Law against illegal Drugs of 2002, were filed against the suspect who is now detained at the detention facility of the Palompon police office.
(ROBERT DEJON)

In Northern Samar

ORMOC CITY-A head teacher of a high school in Mondragon, Northern Samar survived a slay attempt to his life after a village councilor attacked him using a gun last April 21 with the police seeing personal grudge as the motive.

Mondragon chief of police, Captain Verna Cesista identified the victim as Adrian, 44, single, head teacher of the Mondragon Agro-Industrial High School, while the suspect was identified as Roberto Baluyot, 37, former barangay kagawad.

The two are both residents of Barangay Talulora, Mondragon.

Cesista, in an interview, disclosed that the incident happened inside the barangay court at about 5 pm while the barangay was in the midst of preparations for its annual fiesta next month.

She said that a heated argument between the victim and the suspect ensued when the victim asked the suspect why the project for one of the winning candidates of Ms. Talulora did not materialize.

According to PCPT Cesista, this upset the suspect who went home but later returned, this time carrying a short firearm.

The suspect immediately pulled out the gun from his waist and fired several shots at the suspect hitting his leg and thigh.

The suspect immediately fled the area after the shooting but was collared by responding police.

The victim was immediately brought to the Northern Samar Provincial Hospital for treatment where he is now in stable condition.

Charges of frustrated homicide were filed at the Provincial Fiscal Office against the suspect who is now detained at the detention facility of Mondragon police station.
(ROBERT DEJON)