NCRPO chief sacks 12 more cops

MANILA, Philippines - National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) director Chief Superintendent Leonardo Espina yesterday dismissed 12 police officers, bringing the total number of the policemen he has booted out of the police service to 34 since he assumed office on Sept. 7.

Espina also demoted 11 police officers and slapped a 60-day suspension on seven others. Since becoming the metropolis’ top police official, he has demoted 15 police officers, including 11 yesterday.

“I’m reiterating my wish that only the best, dedicated and faithful to the police service and those who are excelling in the performance of duties and responsibilities would stay in the rank and file of the NCRPO,” said Espina.

He also nullified the reinstatement of SPO1 Ricardo Cezar Pascua of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD), who gained notoriety for blocking the convoy of President Aquino on July 17 along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City.

Espina said Pascua remained suspended from the police service effective June 3, 2002.

The NCRPO chief clarified that his decision to dismiss, demote and suspend erring police personnel is pursuant to the National Police Commission Memorandum Circular 2007-001.

Those dismissed were Police Officer 3 Eddie Tayo, SPO1 Salvador Cardenas, SPO1 Elmer Parales, PO3 Alexander Rafer, and PO1 Jeffrey Surmaco for grave misconduct; PO1 Al Rashid, PO1 Dennis Fadol and PO1 Kenneth Asidao for being absent without leave (AWOL); PO1 Ricardo Sibayan, PO2 Jonathan Leonardo, PO1 Alexander de los Santos and PO3 Romeo Bianes for serious neglect of duties or non-appearance in a court hearing.

Tayo, of the Southern Police District, was dismissed for beating up a minor while Cardenas, Parales and Rafer, also of the SPD, were found accountable for the lost pages of Police Community Precinct 9’s police blotter in Las Piñas City on Nov. 6, 2008 containing the data on series of robbery incidents and the turnover of three firearms and bolos. The three policemen were found grossly negligent in handling their duties and responsibilities.

Surmaco, of the Manila Police District (MPD) was dismissed based on the complaint of Florencio Lavena for lesser physical injuries and for violation of the human trafficking law filed before the Manila prosecutor’s office on April 17.

Fadol, of the NCRPO’s Regional Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit; Asidao, of the MPD; and Rashid of the SPD were dismissed for serious neglect of duty and being on AWOL.   

Sibayan, of the QCPD was dismissed for serious neglect of duty for failing to appear in court hearings involving the case of drug suspect Michael Masangkay despite several subpoenas sent to him.

Leonardo, of the MPD, was dismissed based on the complaint of Rolando Sanchez on Dec. 7, 2010 for drunk driving. He failed to attend court hearings and counter the charges against him.

De los Santos and Bianes failed to appear in court for the criminal case against Lanie David and Ranilo Ortega.

Those demoted for grave misconduct are PO3 Alain Sigua, PO2 Ehron Balauat, PO2 Christopher Flores, PO2 Rodnie Plana, SPO1 Edgar Mejia, PO3 Marlon Gomez, PO3 Edgar Nargatan and PO1 Manuel Augdera.

PO3 Raymundo Potonia, PO3 Edgardo Mariano and PO3 Rodolfo Laxamana were also demoted for being AWOL.

The seven policemen meted a 60-day suspension are PO1 Erickson Fajardo, PO3 Ronnie Aquino for grave misconduct; PO2 Alcee Jumaquiao, PO1 Pemar Taguinod and SPO1 Edris Hanani for non-appearance in court hearings; and PO3 Rolando Monteverde and PO1 William Cajayon for being AWOL.