PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) officer-in-charge Lieutenant General Archie Gamboa has signed the order dismissing three of the 13 alleged ninja cops over another irregular anti-illegal drugs operation conducted in Antipolo, Rizal.
Another policeman, who was also among the 13, was ordered suspended for 59 days.
"We have already dismissed 3 of the 13 cops involved in the Pampanga raid for another grave offense in Antipolo," Gamboa said in a press conference in Camp Crame Monday, October 21.
Those who were dismissed were Police Master Sergeants Donal Roque and Rommel Vital and Corporal Romeo Encarnacion Guerrero Jr.
Lieutenant Joven de Guzman was suspended, but Gamboa has ordered the Internal Affairs Service to review the case and investigate him for a more serious offense.
They have been tagged, along with nine others, as ninja cops, or police officers who recycle and sell illegal drugs that were confiscated during anti-drugs operations.
The four policemen were penalized over their involvement in the conduct of an anti-drugs operation in May 2019 in Antipolo, Rizal which the police claimed was a drug bust.
Investigation, howeer, showed that the police intercepted the drug suspect at a checkpoint. He sped off instead of stopping at the checkpoint, prompting the police to give chase.
The suspect sought refuge in his home, which the police allegedly looted. Police also allegedly planted evidence against the suspect.
De Guzman faced a lesser offense of less grave misconduct, the penalty of which is only suspension from service. Gamboa said De Guzman may be dismissed.
“He could not be charged with less grave (misconduct) then during the resolution he would be given a heavy penalty, this is not part of the due process,” said Gamboa.
“However, I returned the case folder to IAS for him to be tried for a graver offense because in the course of the investigation, they have found out that the degree of the participation of an official is far more than what he was charged for,” he added.
The four policemen were among the 13 cops who were earlier implicated in an anti-illegal drugs operation in Mexico, Pampanga in November 2013 which has been the subject of a Senate investigation in the past weeks.
Among the irregularities found in the said operation were the under declaration of illegal drugs recovered and the switching of the arrested drug suspects.
The said Senate investigation has resulted in the refiling of criminal charges against the 13 Pampanga cops.
This time, retiring PNP chief Oscar Albayalde, who has gone on non-duty status, was also charged for allegedly intervening in the implementation of a dismissal order against the 13 officers. (SunStar Philippines)