CIDG: Sack cop general in gas scam

The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group recommended yesterday summary dismissal proceedings against a police general and 21 other officers and employees of the Philippine National Police for their alleged involvement in a P20 million gasoline coupon scam.

CIDG director Chief Superintendent Lucas Managuelod forwarded the recommendation to PNP chief Deputy Director General Panfilo Lacson following the filing of charges with the Office of the Ombudsman against the suspects.

Charged by the CIDG for malversation through negligence of office were Chief Superintendent Alfredo Daluyaya, former director of the PNP Logistics Support Service, Senior Superintendent Jonathan Garcia, Senior Superintendent Armando Esita, Inspector Crisanta Reyes; Feliciano Acosta and Imelda Bucato, auditing clerks; SPO1 Benson Bugia, SPOs2 Jose Santeleces, Lolita Raceles, Mariano Rivera, Pater Cainglet, Eriberto Maligaya, Dionisio Gutierrez, Eduardo de Leon and SPO4 Cesar Laygo.

Also charged were Luzminda de Guzman, Ronnie Medina, Meynardo Balboa, Reynaldo Victorino, Ciriano Valencia, Noli Domingo and Erwin Chavaria, gas attendants at the PNP central gas station inside Camp Crame.

Meanwhile, Ombudsman Aniano Disierto ordered the six-month preventive suspension of the officials and employees involved after graft probers found strong evidence against them.

Deputy Ombudsman for the Military Orlando Casimiro said the PNP personnel were suspended because "circumstances indicate" they "are all in (a) position to influence and/or prejudice the cases filed against them while staying in office."

The CIDG filed the charges after investigation showed the suspects were behind the alleged printing of fake gasoline coupons distributed to the various units of the PNP from July to November last year. The scam allegedly defrauded the PNP central gas station of at least P20 million.

PNP spokesman Superintendent Nicanor Bartolome explained that the suspects were not placed under detention as their offense was bailable. "They were charged with malversation through negligence of office. This means that some other persons could have printed the fake coupons and yet they failed to stop the distribution," he said.

As these developed, Lacson appointed Chief Superintendent Steve Cudal, director of the PNP Crime Laboratory Group to examine all documentary evidence and serve as the hearing officer of the case.

Managuelod added that at least two more police generals are also involved in the gas scam but refused to identify them pending the completion of the CIDG investigation. --