3 cops suspended for arresting ex-TMG chief

The Philippine National Police (PNP) ordered suspended for 180 days without pay a police senior inspector and two of his men for grave misconduct after they arrested a former chief of the Traffic Management Group (TMG) for car theft.

PNP chief Director General Arturo Lomibao said Senior Inspector Jesus Kabigting, PO3 Ernesto Orata and PO2 Dennis Fadol, all formerly assigned at the Southern Police District (SPD) have been suspended from Aug. 16, 2005 to Feb. 11, 2006.

Kabigting’s immediate superior Superintendent Wilbur Naldo was not included in the suspension since he had retired from the police service a few years ago.

The case stemmed from the complaint of Senior Superintendent Norbeto Manaog Jr. that Kabigting’s group arrested him and his driver SPO3 Edgardo Lerit for allegedly driving stolen vehicles, despite documented ownership of the cars.

"I am thankful for the decision, which vindicated me of wrongful charges after five years. Imagine the humiliation of my person and my family when Kabigting’s group presented me to the media for car theft," Manaog told reporters.

Records showed that Manaog was driving a Nissan Sentra when flagged down by Kabigting’s group in Sept. 29, 2000 for driving a "hot car."

Manaog said Kabigting’s group were armed, prompting his children, who were on board another vehicle, to call for assistance from Lerit who was in the area.

But Kabigting’s group also arrested Lerit for illegal possession of firearms. Manaog said proper documents were shown to the arresting lawmen, but they ignored these.

Manaog and Lerit were charged with car theft, illegal possession of firearms and obstruction of justice before the Las Piñas Prosecutor’s Office, which eventually dismissed the case due to lack of evidence. The National Police Commission rendered similar decision to the case.

The Internal Affairs Service (IAS) also chided Kabigting and his men for failure to check the status of Manaog’s car.