PNP joins NBI hunt for kidnap cop

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has joined the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in hunting down a police officer implicated in the recent kidnapping of a car importer.

Acting PNP chief Deputy Director General Oscar Calderon directed operatives of the Police Anti-Crime Emergency Response (PACER) to hunt down Police Officer 2 Clifford de Guzman, who has been listed as absent without leave (AWOL) at the Quezon City Police District-Quick Response Unit and National Capital Region Police Office-Headquarters Support Group (NCRPO-HSG).

"We will assist NBI agents in their operation against De Guzman. We will not condone any criminal activity of any member of the police force," Calderon said.

The acting PNP chief directed the Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management (DIDM) to initiate summary dismissal proceedings against the officer and file appropriate charges, if evidence warrants.

Initial investigation showed De Guzman was positively identified as one of the abductors of businessman Henry Sia last Sept. 1 in Sta. Cruz, Manila.

The kidnappers released the victim after a P200,000 ransom payoff. NBI agents said the abductors initially demanded P5 million.

Calderon said De Guzman was linked to the criminal activities after the arrest of his brother PO2 Jeffrey de Guzman of the Manila Police District’s Anti- Illegal Recruitment Division for the same offense.

"The PNP through PACER and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group will extend utmost cooperation and support to the NBI in pursuing this case and accounting for all the suspects," Calderon added.

He pointed out that the PNP will spare no one in the campaign to totally rid the police organization of misfits and undesirables as part of the PNP transformation program.

Quezon Police District director Chief Superintendent Nicasio Radovan said he has ordered the arrest of the Quezon City cop involved in the kidnapping case.

"We don’t protect criminals at the QCPD, we join the NBI in the manhunt," Radovan said,

The QCPD chief said he is awaiting reports from the NBI and police operations on the results of the manhunt conducted in various parts of the city. — With Perseus Echeminada