Answer planting of evidence raps, 5 Nueva Ecija cops told

MANILA, Philippines — The police chief of Cabiao, Nueva Ecija and four of his officers have been asked to answer the criminal and administrative complaints filed against them by a social media content creator over alleged planting of evidence.

In an order dated April 8, the ombudsman’s Military and Other Law Enforcement Offices said it found the complaint filed by Noel Montano to be “sufficient in form and substance.”

The five police officers were given 10 days from receipt of the order to file their sworn and notarized counter-affidavits with the corresponding controverting evidence. They were also directed to furnish Montano’s camp with a copy of their counter-affidavits.

Montano, known to his viewers as El Tarik, filed complaints against Cabiao police chief Maj. Shariel Paulino, Capt. Sherwin Veloria, Cpls. Arvin Velasco and Jordan Talavera and S/Sgt. Joy Villar.

Montano said the five should be held liable for grave misconduct, conduct unbecoming of a police officer and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.

In his complaint filed on March 1, Montano said the five respondents “conspired” in planting a grenade inside his house to justify his illegal arrest.

Montano said Paulino “directed and orchestrated the planting of evidence” against him, allegedly upon the orders of Cabiao Mayor Ramil Rivera.

He said the mayor has been a subject of his critical posts on Facebook.

Montano said the police officers went to his house on Feb. 21 to serve a search warrant issued by the Gapan City Regional Trial Court for illegal possession of firearms.

He said he went out to invite some people to witness the search, but on their way to the house, they saw men in civilian clothes leaving the area on motorcycles.

During the search, the police officers allegedly found a hand grenade under the pillow of his mother, who was sick.

Montano said he never owned any explosive, especially a grenade.