2 rookie cops accused of coddling snatchers

MANILA, Philippines - National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Director Alan Purisima ordered yesterday the conduct of summary dismissal proceedings against two rookie policemen arrested last Good Friday for allegedly coddling snatchers in Antipolo City.

“They should be immediately weeded out from the police service,” said Purisima as he directed the Regional Investigation and Detective Management Division to spearhead the dismissal proceedings against PO1s Ignacio Calagos Jr., 27, and Michael Borja, 26.

Calagos and Borja joined at least 60 policemen subjected by Purisima to dismissal proceedings for various offenses since he assumed command of the NCRPO in May last year.

Purisima vowed to dismiss from the service policemen involved in illegal activities.

“There should be no mercy on these scalawags because instead of religiously performing their oath of police service, they are involved in illegal activities which is tarnishing the image of the Philippine National Police,” he said.

Senior Superintendent Rolando Anduyan, Rizal police director, recommended the summary dismissal of Calagos and Borja after they were caught in possession of at least eight stolen cell phones last Good Friday.

The cell phones were stolen by a group of snatchers from devotees of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage who trekked barefoot to Antipolo City.

In his report, Anduyan said Calagos and Borja, both assigned to the Regional Public Safety Battalion, “befriended” snatchers whom they caught while serving as security of Metro Rail Transit stations.

They fielded the snatchers in Antipolo City last Good Friday and arrested them ahead of pursuing policemen.

But one of the collared snatchers tagged Calagos and Borja as their alleged protectors, prompting Anduyan to order their arrest and charging in court.

Anduyan said Calagos and Borja owned up to their offense.