(Update) Aklan PNP clears Malay Police Chief

BORACAY Island, Malay Aklan- The Aklan Provincial Polcie Office has cleared the chief of Malay PNP if allegations that he is seeking favors from stakeholders of this resort island.

The current chief of police of the Malay PNP is in hot water after a resident filed a complaint against him for allegedly being fond of asking favors from businessmen here.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Don Dicksie De Dios, Malay Police Station chief told this writer in an interview that the complaint was filed in November 2021. The said complaint was however brought to the attention of the Aklan media recently.

“I learned that the undisclosed complainant was filed to the Regional Internal Affairs at Camp Delgado, Iloilo. I deny the accusations and I let the investigation commence to decide the merits of the case,” De Dios said.

Based on circulating messages from anonymous sources, De Dios and his family are staying in a hotel here for free for a year already.

De Dios also reportedly sought favors from other businessmen such as food for his family and police personnel.

“I was complained to because I am strict in my fulfillment of duties especially on matters concerning Covid-19 health protocols and illegal drugs,” De Dios said.

De Dios with the Municipal Health Office has been coordinating with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency to make Boracay and Malay a drug-free tourism destination. De Dios from Metro Manila was assigned to this resort island in the first quarter of 2021 as Covid-19 pandemic started to affect Boracay.

For his part, Aklan Police Provincial Office (APPO) Director PCol Crisaleo Tolentino defended De Dios in a radio interview against the allegations.

“We have conducted our own investigation. We have interviewed those who are concerned with the case including the resort owner and other stakeholders, and they all deny the accusations against De Dios,” Tolentino said.