Over 100 cops sacked for misconduct, crimes

MANILA, Philippines  (Xinhua) - The Philippine National Police (PNP) dismissed from service 104 policemen who committed various offenses, a senior police official said today.

PNP Spokesman Senior Supt. Reuben Theodore Sindac said these policemen were dismissed in the last six months and were found to have committed grave misconduct and committed serious irregularities and other criminal activities. Their dismissal, he said, is in line with the PNP's "keen resolve to weed out misfits among the ranks."

Sindac said six other policemen were also dropped from rolls during the same period,  while disciplinary sanctions were imposed against 428 policemen committing administrative offenses and involvement in irregularities. Penalties include demotion in rank, suspension, forfeiture of salary, reprimand, restriction to quarters, and withholding of privileges.

Sindac said 797 pending cases against policemen are awaiting resolution in summary hearing boards.

This list does not include policemen who figured in the July 15 killing of robbery gang leaders Ricky Cadavero and Wilfredo Panogalinga in San Pedro, Laguna while the suspects were being transported to a police camp.

Two police officers were charged with murder for the planned killing while several were facing perjury and administrative cases.