7 Manila cops sacked for illegal arrest of workers, priest in bar raid

MANILA, Philippines – The Office of the Ombudsman ordered yesterday the dismissal from the service of seven Manila policemen who unlawfully arrested the workers and guests, including a Catholic priest, during a raid on a KTV bar three years ago.

The anti-graft agency also ordered the filing of criminal charges against them for five counts of arbitrary detention, robbery-extortion and robbery with force since the policemen allegedly extorted money from the complainants in exchange for their release.

Those who have been dismissed and are facing criminal complaints are Senior Police Officer 3 Napoleon de Ramos, SPO1 Erwin Bacungan, SPO1 Noel Halili, PO3 Arnel Capuno, PO3 Marian Esmas, PO2 Lutgardo Lising and PO2 Christopher Batoon, all of the Manila Police District Detective Beat Patrol Unit (DBPU).

The case against them stemmed from a complaint filed by Roger Tamayo, owner of Apollo 14th Disco KTV Bar; club workers Larry Barba and Roel Suya; security guards Antonio Nicumpal and Jomari Badua; and Bishop David Nemenzo.

The complainants alleged that on May 19, 2007, the respondents barged into the bar looking for the owner, who was not there at the time.

The policemen allegedly arrested Barba and Suya and forced the door of Tamayo’s to open, taking an 18-karat gold bracelet worth P32,000 and P2,800 cash.

The respondents also purportedly entered Attraction Music Bar located right in front of Apollo 14th, and proceeded to arrest Nemenzo, whom they accused of being the club’s floor manager. Nemenzo said he was there merely to visit Tamayo, a friend.

Barba, Suya and Nemenzo were released on May 22, 2007 when the Manila prosecutor’s office found insufficient evidence to file charges against them.

 On the other hand, Nicumpal and Badua, security guards of the nearby Crown Theater Mall, were disarmed and arrested after they went to investigate the commotion at the two clubs. They were released the next day allegedly only after paying the policemen P5,000.

The policemen claimed they received a tip about nightly live nude shows at Apollo 14th and acting on the report, they went to the club unarmed, posing as customers, and took pictures and videos of the nude show. They then arrested the workers.

In an eight-page consolidated decision, the Office of the Ombudsman said that “there is substantial evidence showing grave police abuse committed by the respondents.” The Ombudsman said the policemen never introduced any photos of supposed dancers as evidence.