Espina sacks 15 erring Metro cops

MANILA, Philippines - National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Director Leonardo Espina yesterday sacked 15 policemen for allegedly committing various offenses.

Espina said the dismissal of erring officers was part of the NCRPO’s efforts to clean up its ranks. This is the fourth time Espina issued dismissal order, bringing the number of sacked policemen to 73 since he assumed the NCRPO post last Sept. 7.

The dismissed officers were identified as PO2 Michael Soriano and PO1 Aldrin Ignacio of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) for robbery-extortion and arbitrary detention; PO1 William Cristobal of the Manila Police District for frustrated murder; PO1 Orlando Medico of QCPD for illegal drug use; PO3 Resty Cunanan of the Southern Police District for threats, malicious mischief, trespass to dwelling and alarm and scandal; PO2 Eliseo Santos and PO1 Jeremias Englis Jr. of QCPD for failure to prosecute a drug case; PO2 Ronilo Marquez of MPD for non-appearance in court; SPO2 Josefino Agustin of the Regional Police Holding Administrative Unit (RPHAU) for illegal solicitation; PO1 Nomer Getiada of QCPD for grave threat; PO1 Roemer Mondido of the Regional Public Safety Battalion (RPSB) for alarm and scandal; SPO2 Abdurahmin Madueno and PO2 Grnat Fausto Savedia, both of SPD, and PO1 Agustin Panelo of QCPD for being absent without leave (AWOL); and non-uniformed personnel Bernardo Sasi of SPD for physical injury.

Espina said the officers were dismissed from the police service after being found guilty of grave misconduct.

“I will not allow the misdeeds of a very few to compromise the quality of police service rendered by majority of the good cops,” the NCRPO chief added.

The Eastern and Northern Police Districts have no personnel dismissed from the police service.

Espina, meanwhile, exonerated PO3 Matt Villasis, PO1 Roderick Valencia and PO1 Anthony Frias after they were proven not guilty of any misconduct.

He also ordered the demotion of three others and suspension of 35 more policemen.

Demoted were PO2 Marlon Blando and PO2 Bernardo Lapaz, both of MPD, for being AWOL, and PO3 Michael Pablo of QCPD for a grave offense.

Those suspended were PO2 Ace Michel Adenic and PO1 Rou Benavidez for robbery-extortion; SPO1 Romeo Cantal of SPD for negligence; PO2 Freddie Jimenez of RPHAU for bigamy and violation of Republic Act 9262; PO2 Freddenil Dividina of EPD for violation of RA 9262; PO1 Nabo Jusay for immorality; PO3 Fausto Tabilin and PO1 Edgar Rodulfo of QCPD for non-appearance in court; PO1 Leonardo Angio of SPD for serious neglect of duty; PO3 Ramil Brosas and PO1 Jerome Medina of the Regional Headquarters Service Group (RHSG) for intermittent absences; PO2 Randolf Olivar, PO1 Antonio Gallardo, PO1 Orlando Medico, PO2 Richard Dato, PO3 Marlyn Remetio, PO2 Ronald Iral, PO3 Carlos Fuentes, PO1 Mary Rose Balatayo, PO1 Anthony Empleo, PO3 Argyl Taleon, PO1 Angel Ubales, PO2 Michael Garcia, PO2 Aurelio Sto. Tomas, SPO1 Silverio Suaza, PO3 Raul Flores, PO1 Francis Abenir, PO1 Arman Cabsag, PO3 Clarita Leones, PO1 Vivencio Esparrago Jr., PO1 Mark Angelo Tuazon, PO1 Michael Robles, PO1 Mark Jerald Arro, and PO1 Darwin Barcena, for being AWOL; and PO1 Ronald Mangsat for neglect of duty.