3 Sampaloc anti-drugs cops go AWOL

Sampaloc police station chief Superintendent Ernesto Barlam has ordered a manhunt against three police officers from his station anti-illegal drugs (SAID) unit who failed to report for work since Tuesday after several complainants implicated them in extortion activities.

Senior Police Officer 1 Benedicto Llorica, PO2 Jesus de Leon and PO1 Ernesto Pacierto were placed on AWOL (absent without official leave) status, according to Barlam. “They could not be located even at their residences,” Barlam said, adding that he created a fact-finding team to assess the administrative and criminal liability of the entire SAID team, headed by Chief Inspector Resty Nicandro.

Nicandro and three other SAID police officers – SPO1 Maurito Reneido, PO2 Christopher Pantaleon and PO1 Victorino Salao – are behind bars at the integrated jail of the Manila Police District (MPD). The seven policemen are facing charges of robbery-extortion, qualified bribery and planting of evidence.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Avelino Razon Jr. has given a one-month deadline for the summary dismissal proceedings against the seven policemen.

Meanwhile, two more of the seven policemen’s alleged victims filed their complaints yesterday at the MPD’s General Assignment Section. Four other victims have already filed their complaints.

Jennifer Mangulabnan and Elizabeth Cabibi told investigators that Nicandro asked them to produce P100,000 each in exchange for the release of their arrested relatives.

“When we failed to come up with the amount, our relatives were charged with drug offenses. If they are really drug offenders, why does Maj. Nicandro have to bargain for their release?” the two complainants told reporters.   

MPD director Chief Superintendent Roberto Rosales warned rogue policemen that they will share the fate of Nicandro and his men if they continue their illegal activities.

Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim said he was disgusted by policemen who use their badge and uniform in their criminal activities and ordered the dismissal of the seven policemen. – Nestor Etolle