Espina axes 4 cops, demotes 5 others

MANILA, Philippines - National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Director Leonardo Espina yesterday sacked four police officers, demoted five others and suspended eight more for various infractions.

The latest crackdown brought to 77 the number of police officers dismissed from the service, 23 demoted and 75 suspended since Espina assumed command of the NCRPO on Sept. 7, 2012.

Among those Espina dismissed are Police Officer 3 Jessie Villanueva of the Eastern Police District (EPD) for robbery and unlawful arrest, PO2 Joseph Padilla of the Southern Police District (SPD) for murder and attempted murder, PO1 Fulgencio Sideco of the Regional Headquarters Security Group for illegal discharge of firearm during a Christmas party on Dec. 25, 2012 and PO1 Danilo Buniel of the Manila Police District for being absent without leave (AWOL).

He demoted by one rank SPO3 James Caesar Bautista of the Northern Police District for obstruction of justice and dishonesty, PO2 Ronald Beran (NPD) for indiscriminate firing and physical injuries, PO2 Exequiel Arevalo of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) for failing to attend court duty and PO2 Jun Bernardo for being AWOL.

He also suspended PO1 Wilex Daganta (SPD) for failing to comply with a lawful order or instruction of a superior officer, PO2 Hubert Pascual (EPD) for non-appearance in court, PO2 Ace Mitchell Adenic (EPD) for indiscriminate firing as well as PO2 Fortunato Sus (QCPD), SPO2 Diosdado Lagajino (QCPD), PO1 Louie Aaron Siscar (NPD), PO1 Franer Gomez (NPD), and PO2 Noli Collado, all for being AWOL.