17 more cops axed over trike driver’s death

MANILA, Philippines — Seventeen more police officers were sacked from their posts in connection with a hit-and-run accident that killed a tricycle driver in Quezon City.

Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III, Quezon City Police District (QCPD) director, ordered the administrative relief of the policemen for their negligence in the mishap in Barangay Quirino 2-A on Aug. 6 that killed tricycle driver Joel Laroa.

“I will not tolerate rogues in our ranks as QCPD is the home of well-disciplined police officers,” Torre said in a statement yesterday.

Torre did not reveal the names of the police officers, who were reassigned to the QCPD district personnel holding and accounting unit.

Eight of the lawmen are from the district traffic enforcement unit while six are from the QCPD Station 9 and three from the QCPD Station 3.

They were duty officers of the day, shift patrol supervision and station tactical operations center personnel of different stations and units during the accident.

The QCPD earlier launched a probe into the accident in response to a claim by Laroa’s family of an alleged cover-up by some police officers.

Col. Mark Julio Abong, whose pickup truck was involved in the hit-and-run, was relieved as chief of the QCPD criminal investigation and detection unit.

Station 3 commander Lt. Col. Alexander Barredo, Barredo’s subordinate Cpl. Joan Vicente and QCPD Traffic Sector 3 investigator S/MSgt. Jose Soriano were also relieved.

Laroa’s relatives believe Abong was the one driving the pickup truck instead of the vehicle’s caretaker, a certain Ronald Centino.

Mayor Joy Belmonte vowed the police officers will face sanctions if it is proven that they were involved in a cover-up of the accident.

“Truth will prevail. I will not allow a mockery of this probe,” Belmonte said.