Summary hearing eyed vs. cop in grave misconduct case

The fate of PO1 Blaire Quezon is now at the hands of the Police Regional Office-7 officials after Cebu Provincial Police Office director Carmelo Valmoria recommended for the conduct of summary hearing.

Valmoria, who signed the recommendation yesterday morning, said the jurisdiction to hear and decide the grave misconduct case filed against Quezon is within the regional police office.

“In view of the foregoing finding probable cause to exist, which warrants summary hearing, the undersigned investigator recommends that this case be forwarded to the proper disciplinary authority which has jurisdiction over the case and for the conduct of summary hearing,” said Senior Police Officer 1 Kenneth Abella, the investigator of the case.

Quezon, 28, was arrested during an entrapment operation conducted by the Regional Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Group after handing over P50,000 cash to PO2 Roehl Patalinghug allegedly as a bribe to  downgrade a case to be filed against suspected drug pusher Cleofe Racaza.

The task group set up the entrapment operation against Quezon after she allegedly approached Patalinghug on Sunday night and inquired about the Racaza case.

Quezon allegedly negotiated with Patalinghug to downgrade the complaint to be filed against Racaza in exchange for financial consideration.

Racaza was arrested during a drug operation Friday night in sitio Galaxy, barangay Tanke, Talisay City.

The policewoman, however, was released after she posted bail but she will be charged with violation of Republic Act 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

According to Abella’s investigation, Quezon’s act of attempting to connive with the arresting officer “constitutes an administrative offense of grave misconduct, there being elements of corruption, clear intent to violate the law.”

Abella also pointed out that as a public servant, a police officer is expected to exhibit, at all times, the highest degree of honesty and integrity.

Grave misconduct constitutes a penalty of 60-day to six-month suspension, a one-rank demotion or dismissal from service.  — Garry B. Lao/LPM