Sixty members of the volunteer police auxiliary (VPA) went to the City Mayor’s Office to complain against the Tugbok Police Precinct commander who reportedly maltreated them.
City police director Sr. Supt. Alexander Tagum already ordered an investigation to verify the accusations against Sr. Insp. Paulino Zaulda Jr.
The police officer denied the allegations.
In an interview yesterday in front of the City Hall, Charles Uy, one of the volunteer police auxiliary assigned to the Tugbok police, claimed that they were treated as personal servants by the police officer.
“We were asked to get a sack of rice at the barracks (headquarters of DCPO), and then screamed at because we ate too much,” he said.
He also said that they were asked to sweep the floor, clean the toilet even in the wee hours of the morning, or fetch Zaulda’s wife.
Uy said this went on for four months until they could no longer bear the maltreatment so they are seeking the help of Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio.
“We will ask for the help of Mayor Sara Duterte since she was the one who hired us,” he said, adding that they took an oath to provide security to the barangays.
“When we get sick our allowance will be automatically deducted,” he said.
“If we will give a medical certificate, they don’t believe us. Even for just sore eyes, they will ask for a medical certificate.”
Gerald Francisco, also a volunteer police auxiliary of the Tugbok police, echoed the same statement.
“At first he was good but now when we will just be late for five minutes (in our duty) he will mark us as absent already, and P200 will be deducted from our salary,” Francisco said.
Meanwhile, in a separate phone interview yesterday, Sr. Insp. Paulino Zaulda Jr., the precinct commander, said that they just reminded the volunteers against frequent absences “because they might be discharged” or get their salaries deducted.
“Before they left (the station ) they should talk first to their president to hear their complaints but they did not,” he added.
He also denied ordering the police auxiliary to bring his wife.
“I also wake up early in the morning just to fetch my wife because I have my own car,” he said.
Nevertheless, Tagum already initiated an investigation into the complaint.
“He will be investigated now by our IDMB investigation team. We will also invite all the complainants to file their formal complaint with this office,” Tagum added.
The IDMB or the Investigation and Detection Management Branch is led by Chief Insp. Leonardo Tarongoy.
Uy said they received a commitment from the Office of the City Mayor, through Atty. Raul Nadela, also the city legal officer, to act on their complaint.
The Davao City Police Office (DCPO) has currently more than 1,000 VPAs who will serve as force multipliers in peacekeeping duties to sustain the security of the public against criminals. Each auxiliary will receive a monthly allowance of P6,000, along with other benefits from the local government.
