LINGAYEN – Several members of the Mangaldan Police Station are under investigation for grave misconduct in connection with an alleged incident that transpired evening of July 18, 2010.
Because of their misdemeanor, the chief of police will be axed for command responsibility.
It was Ilocos Police Director Orlando Mabutas himself who divulged the incident and the action taken by the Philippine National Police (PNP) regional and provincial leadership.
Mabutas was in Pangasinan Tuesday for his first command visit after his assumption recently.
Earlier in the morning, Mabutas paid Governor Amado Espino Jr. a courtesy call at the provincial capitol building. Later in the afternoon, he, Police Provincial Director Percival Barba and other officials went to Dasol town where they inaugurated a police community precinct.
“Let us rid our force of misfits and scalawags,” he told the police chiefs and unit commanders in the province during the program held in the morning.
“Let this be a warning to all of us. Those policemen have no place in the PNP. They can’t be lax and do whatever they want while the others are doing their job properly. If they want our organization to be transformed, everybody must be transformed,” he emphasized.
The investigation being conducted by the police here was caused by a report received by Camp Crame through its PNP text 2920.
Allegedly, a lewd show by a GRO transpired at the police station’s detention cell.
Although Mabutas said those involved have been relieved, it is still unclear how many were relieved and who these policemen are.
Meanwhile, Provincial Police Investigation Branch Chief Frankie Candelario said they are investigating and determining the gravity of involvement of each of the policemen being investigated.
After which, an administrative case for grave misconduct will be filed for summary proceedings.
Mabutas assured the replacement of those under investigation so as not to jeopardize the operation of the Mangaldan Police Station.
“Dito, masasabi natin that we are dead serious of weeding-out our organization of scalawags,” he reiterated. (Liway C. Manantan-Yparraguirre)