DILG affirms dismissal of gun-toting cop

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has affirmed the dismissal of a gun-toting police official who was involved in a fatal hit-and-run accident in Quezon City last year.

Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos denied for lack of merit the appeal of Lt. Col. Mark Julio Abong, who is assigned with the Philippine National Police (PNP) Legal Service.

Abong was tagged in a hit-and-run accident that killed tricycle driver Joel Larosa and injured a passenger along Anonas street on Aug. 6, 2022.

The DILG affirmed the decision of the National Police Commission (Napolcom) Regional Appellate Board National Capital Region First Division, which found Abong guilty of three administrative charges classified as grave offense.

“This warranted a penalty of dismissal from the police service,” Abalos said.

“We find his appeal bereft of merit. The evidence points to his guilt for grave misconduct, grave neglect of duty and conduct unbecoming of a police officer when he concealed his culpability in the hit-and-run case,” Abalos added.

Abong falsified evidence to blame his driver, Ronald Centino, which was later refuted in an investigation.

Abalos directed PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda to immediately implement the dismissal of Abong.

“He is a disgrace to his uniform and the police organization as he continues his rogue acts after being arrested for an allegedly unprovoked gun-firing incident outside a bar in Quezon City,” the DILG chief said.

Belmonte welcomes Abong’s dismissal

Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte yesterday welcomed the decision of the DILG affirming the dismissal of Abong from the police service.

Last March, the Quezon City People’s Law Enforcement Board (PLEB) had ordered Abong’s dismissal over the hit-and-run accident.

“We are grateful to the DILG and to Secretary Abalos for upholding the decision made by the PLEB. It reflects the firm resolve of the national government to respect the check and balance mechanism against erring policemen, as created by the DILG Act of 1990 and amended by the PNP Reform and Reorganization Act,” Belmonte said.

“This decision also proves that the QC PLEB rendered a just and fair decision,” she added.

Abong elevated his appeal to the DILG after the Napolcom’s Regional Appellate Board upheld the QC PLEB’s ruling.

Last week, he was arrested for allegedly firing his handgun in front of a restobar in Quezon City.

The incident prompted Belmonte to ask why Abong remained in the service despite the PLEB’s ruling.

Belmonte also welcomed a resolution of the QC prosecutor’s office, which found sufficient evidence to file criminal charges against Abong over the gun-firing incident on Nov. 26.

“No one is above the law. We will not tolerate abuse of power, especially among those tasked to implement the law,” she said.

“It is our responsibility to ensure the safety of everyone and not become an instrument of violence,” Belmonte added.

PLEB chairman and executive officer Rafael Vicente Calinisan lauded Abalos for his swift action in dismissing Abong’s appeal.

“This is a win not just for the PLEB, but more importantly for the Filipino people,” Calinisan said in a statement.

He reiterated that Abong was guilty of the charges filed against him for the death of tricycle driver Joel Laroa.

Calinisan revealed that he received death threats and other forms of harassment during the PLEB’s investigation of Abong’s cases.

“Hindi lang from Abong, but also from his very powerful protectors na sinubukan kaming takutin at i-pressure para hindi namin magampanan ang aming tungkulin,” Calinisan said.

The threats continued even after the PLEB released its decision dismissing Abong from the police service, according to Calinisan.

“Pinersonal at kinasuhan din ako ni Abong at ng kanyang mga kasama sa cover-up to make life difficult for me and the PLEB,” Calinisan said.

Woes far from over

Abong’s woes are far from over as the Quezon City prosecutor’s office has indicted him for a string of criminal offenses.

The prosecutor’s office, in a resolution issued on Wednesday, said it found sufficient evidence to charge Abong for illegal discharge of firearm, maltreatment, direct assault upon an agent of a person in authority and violation of the Omnibus Election Code.

The bail for Abong’s temporary release was set at P177,000.

Brig. Gen. Redrico Maranan, director of the Quezon City Police District, said the charges they filed against Abong proved that the QCPD does not tolerate any misconduct or abuse of power by erring police officers.

“We will take decisive action to address any violation of the law. Our priority is to serve and protect the community and continue to execute lawful orders to ensure peace and order in the city,” Maranan said in a statement.

Maj. Dondon Llapitan, who heads the QCPD’s criminal investigation and detection unit, said Abong posted bail yesterday.

Swift dismissal

The PNP vowed to speed up Abong’s dismissal from the police service.

Col. Jean Fajardo, the PNP’s chief publicist, said they are just waiting for the official transmittal of a copy of the DILG’s decision.

“There will be no delay in the issuance of the dismissal order,” Fajardo said in a news briefing at Camp Crame.

Even if Abong appeals his dismissal with the Civil Service Commission, Fajardo said they would still implement the DILG’s order.

Except for his accrued leaves, all of Abong’s other benefits as a police officer are forfeited once he is dismissed from service.

The PNP Firearms and Explosives Office also revoked Abong’s license to own and possess firearms.

It turned out that the licenses of Abong’s firearms, two Glock 40 pistols and a .45-caliber handgun, are already expired. – Emmanuel Tupas, Janvic Mateo