3 erring metro cops axed

MANILA -- Police Director Leonardo Espina has dismissed two Metro Manila policemen accused of extorting money from a Korean businessman and another cop for infidelity in the custody of prisoner.

Espina, the chief of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), dismissed PO1 Jason Tiamson and PO1 Tristan Mariz Gutierrez, who were complained by Kim Byung Woo for robbery extortion.

According to Woo, the two cops barged into his residence on July 19, 2012 and harassed him and his employee. They then asked for his business license and demanded P20,000 when he failed to show it.

Having only P6,000 in his pocket during the incident, Woo said he was compelled by Tiamson and Gutierrez to withdraw cash from his bank account to complete the demanded money.

After giving the money, the two policemen went back to his house and also took his camera and sunglass, according to Woo.

Police Officer 1 Ablason Gabriente, meanhwile, was dismissed from service after a theft suspect escaped from his custody on April 27, 2009.

Espina also demoted SPO2 Leonilo Magallanes while six other cops were suspended including SPO2 Rolando Cartalla, suspended for falsification of public documents; and PO3 Sancho Dichoson Jr. for violence against women and their children.

Suspended for being absent-without-official-leave were PO1 Ryan King D Gonzalez, PO2 Edgardo Taguiam, PO1 Alejo Donguya, and PO2 Amado Pangilinan.

Since his promotion to Metro Manila police chief in September last year, Espina has dismissed 73 erring cops, demoted 19, and suspended 72 others.

To recall, Metro Manila's top cop also dismissed a senior police officer from Quezon City who tried to extort money from the son of Espina himself. (Emmanuel Louis Bacani/Sunnex)