57 Camanava officers face summary dismissal

At least 57 Northern Police District (NPD) cops are now facing summary dismissal proceedings for various offenses before the NPD-Internal Affairs Service (IAS).

NPD director Chief Superintendent Leopoldo Bataoil earlier advised officers that he wants them to perform their duties within the "highest expectation of the public."

Apart from the 57, Bataoil also ordered a deeper investigation into the case of six cops from the warrant section of the Caloocan City police station after they were charged last Friday with extortion at the IAS by a woman they arrested for estafa charges.

According to Myrna Casapao, 54, the six warrant section operatives, three of whom are senior police officers, conspired in extracting a total of P7,000 from her in at least two occasions.

Instead of being turned over to proper authorities, Casapao said she was immediately released after paying the cops.

She said the extortion occurred right inside the warrant section office on Dec. 22 and last March 2.

"I have ordered a thorough investigation of the complaint. We will not tolerate any wrongdoing," Bataoil told The STAR.

To prove that he is serious in his drive to purge his command of erring cops, Bataoil last week ordered two Navotas cops dismissed from the service.

PO3 Antonio Angeles and PO1 Ryan Basilisco were sacked for "serious neglect of duty."

Bataoil said that as far as he is concerned, he wants his men to be intact, but "we must let go of the incorrigible."

He also warned earlier that he would hold the four Camanava (Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, Valenzuela) police chiefs — Senior Superintendent Leo Garra, Senior Superintendent Moises Guevarra, Superintendent Genesis Tolejano and Superintendent Billy Beltran, respectively, responsible for the infractions of their men.

Bataoil, who assumed the NPD command last Feb. 15, is set to announce tomorrow the relief of one of Camanava police chiefs.

"I am just awaiting the official guidance from the higher office," he said.