CHECKPOINT. A police officer checks a motorist’s travel documents at a border checkpoint in Rosales town in Pangasinan on Nov. 9, 2021. The province has eased its requirements for fully vaccinated travelers. (Photo courtesy of Rosales Police)
LINGAYEN, Pangasinan – The Pangasinan Police has decided to rotate police personnel assigned to regional border checkpoints in the province to prevent a repeat of the alleged extortion incident involving a cop in Barangay Pantol in Bayambang town.
The rotation of personnel will discourage over-familiarization with motorists frequently passing the border checkpoints, provincial police officer-in-charge, Col. Richmond Tadina, said in an interview on Saturday.
“This will (also) ensure that minimum health standards are being observed and protocols are religiously enforced,” he said.
Members of the anti-scalawag unit of the Philippine National Police arrested a police officer for alleged extortion in an entrapment operation in Pangasinan on December 7.
Brig. Gen. Oliver Enmodias, chief of the Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group, on Wednesday, identified the suspect as Cpl. Danile Penuliar of the Bayambang municipal police.
Penuliar was arrested in Barangay Pantol after receiving marked money from a police operative who posed as a motorist flagged down by the suspect while passing the village axis road.
The suspect’s modus operandi was to ask the motorist to present a vaccination card and charge him PHP500 if he could not produce one before he is allowed to pass.
Tadina said the chief of the Bayambang police has been administratively relieved after the incident to give way to an impartial investigation.
Meanwhile, Tadina said Safe, Swift, Smart Passage (S-PaSS) permits would no longer be required but travelers may still need to undergo health and exposure screening at the border checkpoints.
In Executive Order 0178, signed by Governor Amado Espino III and issued on November 18, the local government unit (LGU) of the traveler’s destination may impose reasonable restrictions on travelers from areas with higher quarantine classifications.
However, a valid coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccination card could replace any testing that would be required by the destination LGU.
Those coming from areas under granular lockdown, Alert Level 5, enhanced community quarantine, and modified enhanced community quarantine will be denied entry to Pangasinan, except for authorized persons outside of residence (APORs) carrying valid authority to travel and/or travel order, Tadina added.
Valid identification cards will still be required to be presented at the border checkpoints. (PNA)
