Quezon City station commander sacked over detainee rape

MANILA, Philippines -    National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Director Nicanor Bartolome ordered yesterday the relief of the commander of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) Station 12, where a policeman allegedly raped a female detainee.

Bartolome said Superintendent Pedro Sanchez, commander of the QCPD Station 12 in Barangay Libis, was administratively relieved over command responsibility. Sanchez was the immediate superior of Police Officer 1 Rodrigo Bajog, who was accused of raping a female detainee last week.

“I want Sanchez to be investigated if indeed he influenced the conduct of the cases filed against PO1 Bajog,” Bartolome said.

Superintendent Manuel Obon will replace Sanchez, Bartolome added. Bartolome also directed QCPD director Chief Superintendent Benjardi Mantele to conduct summary dismissal proceedings against Bajog for the rape case.

Mantele said Bajog, who was listed as absent without leave (AWOL), is the subject of a massive police manhunt.

Bartolome ordered Mantele to submit to his office other pending cases against Bajog. He vowed to speed up the resolution of these cases so “the said policeman would be thrown behind bars.”

In his report to Bartolome, Mantele said Bajog is also facing malversation of government property charges for pawning his service firearm, grave misconduct for reckless imprudence resulting in damage to property when he fled after the patrol car he was driving hit a private vehicle, and going AWOL in the past.

Mantele said they are now working for the issuance of an arrest warrant against Bajog, who has not returned home since Feb. 22, when the rape allegedly happened.