7 cops who looted teacher’s house dismissed  

MANILA, Philippines — Seven anti-narcotics police officers accused of looting the house of a retired teacher in Imus, Cavite last month were dismissed from the service yesterday.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. approved the recommendation of the Internal Affairs Service (IAS) for the dismissal of Staff Sergeants Jesus Alday, Julius Barbon and Emil Buna; Corporals Jenerald Cadiang and Lew Amando Antonio, and Patrolmen Reymel Czar Reyes and Rene Mendoza.

The policemen were found guilty of grave misconduct, two counts of less grave misconduct, one count of grave irregularity in the performance of duty, grave dishonesty and conduct unbecoming of a police officer, according to the IAS.

PNP public information officer Col. Jean Fajardo said the dismissed policemen have 10 days to file a motion for reconsideration as a matter of procedure.

“Once they receive the decision on their dismissal, they will be outside the jurisdiction of the PNP,” Fajardo told a news briefing at Camp Crame.

Another police officer whom the IAS recommended for dismissal, Senior M/Sgt. Daisy Diones, was exonerated due to lack of basis and evidence.

Fajardo said Diones only appeared to frisk a woman and was not involved in the actual operation.

Former Imus police chief Lt. Col. Michael Batoctoy and five other policemen were cleared of grave misconduct.

However, they will undergo investigation for grave neglect of duty under the doctrine of command responsibility.

Fajardo said footage of closed-circuit television cameras  caught the dismissed policemen entering the house of Rebecca Caoile, 67, in Barangay Alapan 1-A.

They were later seen carrying several personal belongings of the victims.

Investigation showed that the policemen did not coordinate their anti-narcotics operation.