Two police officers and a civilian were arrested for allegedly robbing a Quezon City resident whom they accused of being involved in illegal drug activities.
In a report on Tuesday, the Quezon City Police District's Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit (QCPD-CIDU) said Staff Sgt. Russell Ortega, Cpl. Joel Taboga, both assigned to the Caloocan Police Station, and their accomplice Robin Caidic were arrested by members of the Talipapa Police Station (TPS), in front of the Barangay Balon Bato Hall on Monday afternoon.
It said QCPD Homicide Section chief Cpt. Reynandy Tagle and TPS officers were reviewing closed circuit television (CCTV) footage at the barangay hall's second floor about a separate case when they noticed a commotion in front of the hall.
Tagle and the TPS officers arrested Ortega, Taboga and Caidic when they saw them chasing a certain Gerald Andrade.
The report said the two police officers claimed Andrade was an illegal drug suspect but failed to present documents proving the legality of their operation.
Andrade, meanwhile, claimed that he was onboard his motorcycle beside a gasoline station when the two police officers and their companion blocked him and took his motorcycle and wallet containing around P16,000 in cash.
He said he managed to run, prompting the police officers to chase him until they reached the barangay hall.
The two police officers also named their colleagues who were reportedly involved in the incident -- Corporals Judy Rizare, Andy Moja, Mark Anthony Vinagrera and Alvin Cruz.
Fate of 4 'kidnap cops' out within 2 months
meanwhile, the fate of the administrative charges against four police officers arrested for the abduction of four foreigners in Pasay City earlier this month would be known within two months.
In a media interview Tuesday, Philippine National Police-Internal Affairs Service (PNP-IAS) Inspector General Brigido Dulay said a pre-charge investigation on the four suspects has begun.
"The pre-charge investigation must be finished in 10 to 15 days. We want to make sure that we have enough evidence but we want the pre-charge investigation finished either this week or next week," he said.
He said this would be followed by the summary hearing or a quick trial that would last for 30 days.
"During the summary hearing, the parties would be given the chance to answer the charges. We at the IAS act as the prosecution and we would present evidence against them. The suspects have the right to get their own counsel," he said.
He said the IAS' decision would be submitted to the office of the PNP chief for a final decision.
Grave offenses such as kidnapping can be meted with dismissal as the stiffest penalty.
Upon dismissal, the police officers' benefits would be forfeited while their eligibility would be revoked and they would be perpetually disqualified from holding any other government posts.
Maj. Christel Villanueva, Staff Sgt. Ralph Tumanguil, Master Sgt. Ricky Tabora, and Senior Master Sgt. Angelito David were arrested in a follow-up operation on June 3, a day after the kidnapping of three Chinese nationals and a Malaysian.
Three of the four police officers were also found to have committed previous offenses.
Based on PNP records, Villanueva was previously charged with grave neglect of duty and grave misconduct due to violation of domicile where he was suspended for 60 days in 2020.
David was charged with grave misconduct for robbery and extortion and dismissed from the service in 2011. He, however, appealed the case and was reinstated in 2019.
Tumanguil was also charged with grave misconduct and was suspended for 60 days.
On Monday, PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil ordered a speedy investigation into the cases of the police officers, noting that he wants all of them to be dismissed from the service. PNA