4 Makati cops sacked for firefighters' murder

Manila, Philippines -  Four Makati City police officers were removed from their posts yesterday after murder charges were filed against them for killing two volunteer firefighters last April 1.

Senior Police Officer 1 Raul Tamarion, PO3 Christopher Abeleda, PO2 Carmelo Tuzon, and PO2 Elmandy Arconado were charged with double murder and incriminatory machination by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Thursday in connection with the killing of businessman Ronald Infante, acting chief of the Manila-Setba fire volunteer brigade, and mechanic Jenny Almanon.

The policemen earlier claimed a delivery van driver for a courier service firm reported that the victims were motorcycle-riding criminals who tried to stage a robbery, and that the two men were killed when they shot it out with them.

According to surveillance camera footage released by the NBI, Infante and Almanon were not killed in a shootout. The footage also showed men in civilian clothes moving their bodies and planting a gun at the scene.

Following the filing of charges by the NBI, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Nicanor Bartolome ordered the relief of the four policemen.

“In the best interest of impartiality and due process, we are placing the involved policemen under custody to allow the opportunity to be available to present their side in the continuing investigation of the case,” he said.

Bartolome also ordered the four policemen to surrender their firearms and badges.

PNP spokesman Senior Superintendent Generoso Cerbo Jr. said the PNP chief issued the orders after viewing the surveillance camera footage.

Bartolome said the four policemen should be placed under restricted custody of the National Capital Regional Police Office (NCRPO).

He also ordered the NCRPO to start an administrative investigation against the four policemen for grave misconduct.

“So in general, we would like to emphasize that the PNP is consistent in situation like this. We are open to any investigation and we will never tolerate any wrongdoing of any PNP personnel,” Cerbo said in a briefing.