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Saturday, September 27, 2003
3 cops face dismissal for 'illegal fishing'
By Ruby P. Silubrico
THREE police officers who were recently arrested on board a fishing vessel allegedly engaged in illegal fishing activities in Carles town face dismissal from the service.
Iloilo Provincial Police Director Juan Mabugat said investigation shows that three committed a serious neglect of duty and a conduct unbecoming of a police officer.
PO2 Rex Villanueva and PO1 Jelson Villonero are both members of the Regional Special Operations Group (RSOG) while PO2 Archie Agno is an investigator of Balasan Police Station.
Mabugat said either of these violation is tantamount to dismissal from the service.
He said his office is now finalizing its investigation report for submission to the Regional Intelligence and Investigation Division (RIID).
"After that, the summary hearing will immediately start," he said.
The three officers are still restricted at the IPPO compound but Mabugat said it will be the regional police office which will decide they will remain under restriction or they will be suspended.
He said that the three police officers clearly violated laws when they were caught on board fb Dyan last Sept. 13.
Earlier Senior Supt. Felix Muchada, RSOG chief, defended his men, saying they came from a mission in Isla de Gigantes and only boarded the vessel in going back to the mainland.
"They went there for a legal business, not to protect illegal activities or persons engaging in illegal activities," Muchada had ealier said.
He brushed aside Iloilo Gov. Niel Tupas Sr.'s allegations that a high-ranking police official is protecting the illegal fishing operators in northern Iloilo.
(September 27, 2003 issue)
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