PNP official faces ax over Parojinog assault

MANILA, Philippines — The Internal Affairs Service (IAS) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) has recommended the dismisssal of a police official who reportedly sexually assaulted former Ozamiz City vice mayor Nova Princess Parojinog.

The IAS found Lt. Col. Jigger Noceda guilty of two counts of grave misconduct for acts of lasciviousness and sexual assault, two offenses wherein the punishment is dismissal from service and forfeiture of benefits.

The IAS resolution will first undergo a review by the PNP’s legal department before it is approved by PNP chief Gen. Debold Sinas.

IAS inspector general Alfegar Triambulo said the evidence against Noceda, including Parojinog’s sworn statement, was strong.

“The charges against him were serious,” he said in a phone interview.

During the summary proceedings on the administrative charges against Noceda, the IAS established that Noceda sexually abused Parojinog on two occasions this year at the PNP Custodial Center, where she has been detained since July 2017 on drug charges, Triambulo said.

During the first incident, Noceda allegedly forcibly hugged Parojinog but she was able to resist the police official’s sexual advances, according to Triambulo.

On the second try, the police official was able to sexually assault Parojinog, which was confirmed by a medical certificate.

While there were no witnesses, the IAS gave weight to Parojinog’s testimony, which Triambulo described as straightforward.

Noceda’s blanket denial was considered just an alibi by the IAS, including the police official’s claim that Parojinog never shouted for help during the two incidents.

Triambulo pointed out that whether Parojinog asked for help immediately after the sexual assaults were committed is immaterial for as long as it is non-consensual.

Noceda was previously accused of irregularities for an incident in 2015 wherein he was caught on video torturing a suspected thief when he was still the police chief of Carmona, Cavite.