4 MPD cops charged with extortion face dismissal

MANILA, Philippines - Four Manila policemen will undergo summary dismissal proceedings for allegedly illegally arresting and robbing a gay couple, a police official said yesterday.

Senior Superintendent Joaquin Alva, head of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) regional investigation and detective management, was tasked to initiate dismissal proceedings against Police Officer 1 Renato Ablaza, PO 3 Ruel Aguilar, PO2 Patrick Guevarra and PO2 Ronald Robles, who had been charged with robbery and extortion.

“They are what we termed as scourge in the police organization. They should take the boot as we in the NCRPO would not condone their wrongdoing,” said NCRPO director Chief Superintendent Joel Pagdilao.

“We have many recruits undergoing training so their dismissal would not be felt by the NCRPO,” he said.

The NCRPO chief said the dismissal proceedings are in keeping with the campaign of Philippine National Police chief Director General Ricardo Marquez to rid the PNP of “dirty cops.”

He said the grave misconduct case against the four Manila policemen is separate from the criminal case filed against them by the general assignment section of the Manila Police District.

The policemen, who snubbed an order for them to show up and explain their side, have also been relieved together with their precinct commander, Senior Inspector Ronald Leechiu.

Michael Hingpit, 38, accused the police officers of arresting him and his boyfriend on V. Mapa street in Sta. Mesa around 1 a.m. on Aug. 28.

Hingpit said they were alighting from a taxi when the police officers allegedly frisked them and found a sachet of shabu, which he said was planted in his pocket.

The policemen brought Hingpit and his boyfriend to the precinct, took his wallet containing P5,500 and mobile phone and accused them of possessing illegal drugs, the complainant said.

Hingpit said Ablaza hit him on the head when he denied the allegation, adding the police officers ordered him to call his brother to ask for P4,000 while his boyfriend was forced to shell out P3,000 for their release.

While waiting for their relatives, the police officers allegedly told them to perform oral sex but they refused, so the police officers forced them to clean the precinct instead.