The National Police Commission (Napolcom) has filed administrative charges against several police officers involved in separate incidents of alleged grave misconduct.
At a press briefing in Quezon City, Napolcom Vice Chair Rafael Calinisan said the Inspection, Monitoring and Investigation Service (IMIS) filed charges against Col. Rommel Estolano, former chief of the Highway Patrol Group Special Operations Division, for allegedly accepting PHP7 million in bribes from a detained suspect during a June 13 Parañaque operation. Estolano, however, claimed the arrest was based on a warrant that had already been recalled.
Another complaint was filed against two Marikina City cops accused of raping a patrolwoman on duty. The suspects allegedly picked up the victim on Aug. 17 and molested her inside a police mobile. They are now confined at the Eastern Police District Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit and face administrative charges as well as acts of lasciviousness and violations of the Anti-Rape Law (RA 8353).
Seven Caloocan City police officers were also charged following the death of 20-year-old student Dion Angelo Dela Rosa from leptospirosis in July. Calinisan said they will face charges of “grave misconduct, grave dishonesty, incompetence, oppression, and conduct unbecoming of a police officer.”
In a separate case, delivery rider Nicole Owen Solleza filed a complaint against 11 Manila Police District Drug Enforcement Unit personnel for allegedly abducting him and fellow rider Chester Dumaran on Sept. 9 over fabricated drug charges. Both riders were released pending investigation. IMIS Chief Edman Pares said the group included four staff sergeants, two master sergeants, two patrolmen, a major, a corporal, and a senior master sergeant.
Calinisan emphasized that due process is being observed in all cases, saying, “Gumugulong na po ‘yung administratibo nila na kaso at binibigyan po natin ng pagkakataon ‘yung both parties dito sa due process.”
