PNP to enforce one-strike policy vs police chiefs

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Dionardo Carlos has vowed to impose a one-strike policy on station commanders whose subordinates are arrested for illegal activities.

The directive covers regional directors down to police station chiefs, Carlos said.

“I will lay down the rules. Existing na ‘yang one-strike policy kaya ibabalik natin,” he told reporters on Wednesday.

Carlos said he would not hesitate to sack police station commanders from their posts if their subordinates are found involved in corruption and other illegal scheme.

The PNP chief issued the warning after eight operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) were accused of robbing Chinese employees of a Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) company in Angeles, Pampanga on Wednesday.

Maj. Ferdinand Mendoza, Staff Sergeants Mark Anthony Iral and Sanny Ric Alicante, Patrolmen Leandro Mangale and Hermogines Rosario Jr. and Corporals Richmond Francia, John Gervic Fajardo and Kenneth Rheiner Delfin of the CIDG’s anti-organized crime unit, were charged with robbery with violence and intimidation before the Angeles prosecutor’s office yesterday.

The CIDG also filed charges against the policemen’s cohorts Tian Renjuan, Lin Bo Yu and Alvin Ng.

CIDG director Maj. Gen. Albert Ignatius Ferro said that based on their investigation, the policemen allegedly demanded P5 million from the POGO workers.

“We will investigate it further,” Ferro said at a press briefing.

He said there was no pre-operational report on the raid, which is another glaring error on the part of the police.

“From the very start, void ang kanilang operation,” Ferro said.