PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) Chief Guillermo Eleazar has approved the dismissal of two more policemen.
Sherwin Rebot and Harold Mendoza, who both had the rank of corporal, were found guilty of killing another policeman after an arm wrestling match. Both were members of the Police Security and Protection Group.
Rebot was charged with murder and illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, while Mendoza was charged for murder by conspiracy and obstruction of justice.
Eleazar said Rebot was found guilty of grave misconduct, simple irregularity in the performance of duty (loafing), less grave neglect of duty (drinking while on duty) and conduct unbecoming of a police officer while Mendoza was found guilty of less grave neglect of duty (drinking while on duty), simple irregularity in the performance of duty (loafing) and conduct unbecoming of a police officer.
Rebot and Mendoza were tagged in the killing of their colleague Police Corporal Higinio Wayan. They claimed that Wayan killed himself while they were having a drinking session.
Mendoza claimed he was sleeping when it happened while Rebot said he was in the comfort room.
Investigation, however, showed that Wayan had not fired a gun as the paraffin test on his body yielded negative results for gunpowder nitrate. A witness also later admitted that Rebot had killed Wayan over an arm wrestling match loss.
“May this serve as a warning to all police officers that I will not let this kind of incident pass. Dahil lang sa pagsuway sa patakaran na bawal uminom habang naka-duty, humantong ito sa pagpatay ng inyong kabaro. Walang puwang sa PNP ang mga utak kriminal,” he added. (Third Anne Peralta-Malonzo / SunStar Philippines)