The police officer who allegedly robbed a farmer in Bacolod City Friday yesterday said that even before a formal case has been filed in court against him, he is already being subjected by the media to a “trial by publicity.”

In an interview with the DAILY STAR, PO1 Frankie Alojado lamented the treatment by some members of the media of the allegations against him.

“They treat me as if I've already been convicted by the court,” Alojado said, adding that he has chosen not to react to reports and opinions against him, no matter how slanted they are, because he will answer the issue in court.

“My conscience is clear anyway,” he said.

Alojado said he understands that the media need to report and give opinions on what happened but the issue should have been treated in a balanced manner.

Alojado was ordered restricted to Police Station 1 by Bacolod City Police Office director Senior Supt. Ronilo Quebrar Friday after farmer Alex Bautista identified him as the officer who allegedly robbed him of his P65,000 along with his two unidentified male companions.

Bautista claimed that Alojado and his two companions took his money at the corner of Gatuslao-Lerio streets, in the city, after he was flagged down by the officer near the San Sebastian Cathedral at Rizal Street because his motorcycle did not have a license plate on it at about 6 a.m. Friday.

The officer said he was with his family in Brgy. Handumanan in Bacolod at that time and not in Isabela town as was reported earlier, because he had just arrived at their house after completing his duty at a memorial park for the BCPO's Oplan Kaluluwa on November 1.

Alojado said he is hopeful he will be eventually cleared of the accusations against him, adding that he believes what is happening is just a part of trials for him and his family.

LINE-UP

Quebrar, on the other hand, said he has already coordinated with the Traffic Management Group for a possible police line-up of its officers who were reportedly operating in Bacolod during the incident.

This will allow Bautista to see the officers in person as he only saw them through their file pictures before he identified Alojado Friday, Quebrar said.

Meanwhile, BCPO Traffic Management Group chief, Senior Inspector Levy Pangue confirmed that the police, including the TMU and TMG have recently been prevented by the Land Transformation Office from enforcing the provisions of Republic Act 4136 or the LTO and Traffic Code of the Philippines .

The TMU has been complying with this under an LTO memorandum circular dated August 13, 2007 , Pangue said.*PP

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