DILG orders resolution of cases vs rogue cops

MANILA, Philippines - Interior and Local Government Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento ordered the National Police Commission (Napolcom) to audit cases of rogue police officers as part of the effort to cleanse the ranks of the police force.

Sarmiento issued the order after the  arrest of a policeman facing charges of kidnapping, illegal detention and poking guns at tricycle drivers in Tondo, Manila.

“Policemen who are facing heinous crimes should be disarmed and taken into restrictive custody unless ordered otherwise by the courts,” Sarmiento said.

“We will not tolerate members of the police force who commit bad things and damage the PNP; that is unfair to policemen doing their jobs to protect and serve the people,” said Sarmiento. “We need ideal police officers who will be able to not only serve and protect the people but also accomplish the mission given to them.”   

Sarmiento said the standard operating procedure (SOP) that requires the immediate disarming of policemen facing criminal complaints should be strictly implemented.

The DILG chief said initial information indicated that there were a total of 30 policemen slapped with punishment for alleged involvement in illegal activities. The period, however, was not disclosed.

Of the 30 policemen, Sarmiento said 11 were dismissed from the service, 11 were demoted and eight suspended.

Sarmiento said Napolcom should conduct a thorough audit of all cases involving scalawags and misfits in the police service especially those facing heinous crimes and expedite the process of their dismissal.

Police Officer 2 Manuel Fuentes was presented to Sarmiento last week before the weekly meeting for the Oplan Lambat Sibat, an anti-crime campaign of the Philippine National Police (PNP) at Camp Crame in Quezon City.

Sarmiento said Fuentes has been absent without official leave (AWOL) since Sept. 16 after he was implicated in alleged kidnapping and illegal detention of a tricycle driver. However, on Oct. 9, Fuentes again figured in an incident when he poked a gun at a tricycle driver who failed to give him illegal drugs.

A closed-circuit television camera installed nearby was able to record the incident.

Sarmiento said Fuentes was suspended for alleged kidnapping and extortion and should have been disarmed and put into restrictive custody pending the investigation of his case.

Sarmiento said disarming policemen facing serious offenses should become standard practice for the PNP to protect their complainants and witnesses from harassment.