Controversial Manila police officer assumes old post

A controversial Manila police officer said yesterday that his return to his former post was a vindication for his being unfairly linked to kidnapping and extortion activities.

Superintendent Marcelino Pedrozo was one of three senior police officials who took over as commanders of three police stations in Manila, as part of a minor reshuffle of the Western Police District (WPD).

Pedrozo replaced Malate police station chief Superintendent Antonio Arellano, under whose jurisdiction the Allied Bank branch in Vito Cruz was robbed by heavily armed men in broad daylight last May 31.

Pedrozo, who was the station’s former commander, recently made headlines after he and his men were implicated by a dismissed agent of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in kidnapping and extortion activities.

Pedrozo and his men refused to meet their accuser in a police line-up to avoid trial by publicity. Their defiant stand prompted then Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Edgar Aglipay to relieve them from their posts.

Despite repeatedlly asking for a trial at a proper court, no charges were filed against Pedrozo and his men. They were also remanded to the withholding center of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO).

The NCRPO’s investigating panel dismissed the case of grave neglect of duty against the police officers last May 23 for lack of evidence, and ordered their return to their former units.

"Finally, I was vindicated," Pedrozo said during the simple turnover rites at the Malate police station last Friday.

The reshuffle, which also affected three police support units, was in line with the WPD’s commitment to provide efficient service to Manila residents, according to WPD director Chief Superintendent Pedro Bulaong.

Sta. Ana police station commander Superintendent Quirico Vinagrera was replaced by Superintendent Eduardo Sierra, the commander of the WPD’s Sekreta (Detective) Unit.

Sta. Mesa police station commander Superintendent Rolando Miranda was designated as chief of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit (CIDU), replacing Superintendent Co Yee Co who will head the District Mobile Patrol Unit (DMPU).

Superintendent Ferdinand Quirante will assume Miranda’s former post, while former DMPU chief Senior Inspector Wilfredo Estrella was transferred to the District Tactical Operation Center (DTOC) to replace Chief Inspector Rufino Bautista who is set to retire soon.