The National Police Commission (Napolcom) announced on Friday that it has directed its Inspection, Monitoring and Investigation Service (IMIS) to conduct a motu proprio investigation into the alleged involvement of several police officers in the disappearance of over 100 “sabungeros” (cockfighting enthusiasts).
Napolcom Vice Chair and Executive Officer, lawyer Rafael Vicente Calinisan, stated that any police personnel found to have colluded with the group allegedly responsible for the victims’ deaths and their bodies being dumped in Taal Lake, Batangas, would face removal from service.
Calinisan urged the complainant, or any other individuals with information, to file a formal complaint with Napolcom to expedite the case’s resolution in coordination with the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Philippine National Police–Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG).
“I am appealing to ‘Alyas Totoy’ to appear and submit his complaint affidavit with the Napolcom, so we can investigate and hear this case with absolute dispatch. There needs to be swift justice, and we will not hesitate to dispense swift justice,” he said in a statement.
He clarified that any case filed with Napolcom would be administrative, aimed at determining the fitness of the involved policemen to remain in service. If found liable, Napolcom may impose penalties such as suspension, demotion, or dismissal.
Earlier this week, “Totoy” identified certain police officers, a security guard from a cockfighting arena in Manila, and a showbiz personality as being connected to the mastermind behind the crime.
