3 Quezon City cops axed from post

MANILA -- A police official and his two subordinates were relieved from their positions on Wednesday for allegedly arresting and charging a barangay chief over a made-up offense.

Metro Manila police chief Leonardo Espina fired Superintendent Norberto Babagay, chief of the Galas police station 11 in Quezon City, along with Police Officer (PO) 2 William Blanco and PO3 Wilbert Blanco, a radio report said.

The two police officers allegedly arrested 56-year-old Eduardo Torcelino, a barangay chairman in Malate, Manila, and his companion, Hermenigildo Patdu, on October 5.

The victims were allegedly brought to the police station where they were accused of possessing 15 grams of shabu.

The two erring cops also allegedly planted evidence and took P170,000 from the victims.

Babagay, on the other hand, prepared the charges against Torcelino and his companion, who denied the accusations.

In a meeting with Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim and Espina on Wednesday, Torcelino showed a copy of a resolution issued by the Quezon City assistant city prosecutor which questioned the legality of his arrest.

The resolution said the barangay official and his companion are not known subjects or targets of drug operations which the arresting officers failed to show.

Espina said during Wednesday's meeting that a resolution will be made within 30 days regarding the possible dismissal from service of the three policemen. (Emmanuel Louis Bacani/Sunnex)