Three police officers assigned in Caloocan City are facing criminal complaints for allegedly fabricating a gambling case against two individuals, including the father of a 20-year-old student who reportedly died of leptospirosis while searching for his father in the rain.
During a press conference at the Northern Police District (NPD) headquarters, Caloocan police chief Col. Joey Goforth confirmed that a perjury complaint has been filed before the city prosecutor’s office against the three officers, including the commander of Police Substation 2. The officers have been relieved from their posts.
“Kinasuhan natin sila ng perjury, doon sa commander, sa opisyal. Perjury by direct inducement. Perjury doon sa dalawa. Arbitrary detention dahil doon sa pagpapakulong ng ilang araw. And yung incriminatory machination sa pagfi-file ng maling kaso,” said Goforth.
The victim’s father, Jayson Dela Rosa, and another man, Manuel Jazul, were arrested in July. Dela Rosa was initially accused of theft at a convenience store, while Jazul was apprehended for allegedly trespassing. However, both complainants refused to file charges, yet the two were later charged with illegal gambling.
NPD Director Brig. Gen. Jerry Protacio reminded that detainees must be released if no case is filed within the legal time limit.
“Ang sinisiguro at tinitiyak namin ay ang mga ganitong klase ng paglabag sa itinakdang polisiya ng Pambansang pulisya ay mananagot ang ating mga personnel… hindi po kami nangingimi na mag-file at ikulong ang ating pulis na nagkasala,” Protacio stressed.
He also ordered the removal of detention cells from all police substations in Caloocan.
Meanwhile, Dela Rosa has filed an administrative complaint before the National Police Commission (Napolcom) against the three officers and two additional personnel from Substation 2.