Mystery solved
So it was a crime after all. Days after a photo and video of a gun-toting incident on EDSA went viral on the internet, where several cars were seen boxing in a white Toyota Fortuner while armed men trained their guns on it, authorities have been able to piece together what actually happened. There was speculation that another road rage incident had occurred. Some even speculated that it was a movie scene of some kind, because of the brazen way it was conducted, daylight and all. But after some leads along with good police work, mystery solved, thanks to the initial photo posted on social media and other images caught on CCTV, along with witnesses who identified the vehicle of the victims.
Since the plate number and conduction sticker of two of the vehicles were seen on the photo, authorities were able to trace their respective owners. The Honda Civic is owned by a dismissed policeman, while the Toyota Hi-Ace is owned by an active officer of La Loma Police Station 1. When police went to the said station, they chanced upon Chief Inspector Joseph De Vera, owner of the Hi-Ace. At first, this guy denies any involvement with the said incident. But when shown the photo, he then changes his story and claims it was a legitimate anti-drug operation. But after more questions such as coordination with PDEA and whether they were members of the station's anti-drug unit, he was busted. He goes on to name the other men involved in the abduction-extortion. Surprise, surprise, they are all policemen. All nine of them.
While two are already in custody, seven remain at large and have not reported for work since Monday. While most of them are active PNP personnel, all working in La Loma Station 1, one has been dismissed years ago, most probably due to involvement in criminal activities. Which is what I have been saying all along. The possibility of dismissed policemen becoming involved in crime full-time is high, especially if they still have friends active in the PNP. This incident proves that.
I will not judge the entire PNP. It would be unfair to do that. But I have to agree with the alarming number of incidents involving both active and dismissed policemen. These are the most dangerous kind of criminals, because they perpetrate their criminal activities utilizing their positions of authority, along with all the resources available to them. I mean, if a policeman stops you, will you run for it, or do you stop? How can an ordinary citizen determine if the person in uniform is there to serve and protect, or rob, even kill you?
I sympathize with the PNP leadership. The actions of a few among their ranks are enough to stain the whole institution. I can see the exasperation of the police leaders, but they have to clean their ranks. They have to weed out and jail the scalawags. Only the PNP leadership can do that, as ordinary citizens can only point them out when they commit crimes. Their records, origins, even bank accounts and lifestyles have to be investigated. To think that this particular crime involved not just rookie cops but chief and senior inspectors is very alarming. How were they able to stay in service for so long without their true characters known? Unless of course, this is already considered normal within the PNP. I would not want to think so. The country cannot afford to think so.
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