Cop to face administrative case

CEBU, Philippines - The Provincial Investigation and Detective Management Branch will file an administrative case for grave misconduct against PO2 Leopoldo Palconit Jr. for allegedly demanding money in exchange for not filing charges.

Palconit, of the Liloan Police Station, was entrapped by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)-7 last month at the Mandaue City Palace of Justice based on the complaint of Jeppherson Manongas, whose licensed caliber .45 pistol was confiscated by Palconit.

Insp. Julius Ompad, PIDMB chief, said the NBI-7 has filed a criminal case against Palconit and they were tasked to file an administrative case against the said policeman.

Ompad said they will be forwarding the case directly to the Police Regional Office (PRO)-7 considering the gravity of the offense and the penalty imposed is beyond the capability of Cebu Provincial Police Office director Patrocinio Comendador.

“As we forward it to the regional office, summary proceedings will be conducted,” Ompad said.

As of now, Palconit is still on duty until such time the regional office will release its decision regarding the case.

Ompad explained that the implementation of the sanction shall depend upon the summary hearing officer.

To recall, Manongas accused Palconit of demanding P160,000 so that a complaint illegal possession of firearms will not be filed against him.

This, after Palconit’s team, without a warrant, allegedly raided Manongas’ rented house in Barangay Fatima, Liloan, which led to the confiscation of Manongas’ firearm and the arrest of four persons.

Manongas went to the police station to get his gun but Palconit approached him and allegedly requested to settle the case by paying P160,000 which was later reduced to P60,000 and that the money will be given at the Palace of Justice.

Manongas gave P20,000 as his partial payment and the transaction resulted to the arrest of Palconit. — (FREEMAN)