Muntinlupa's top cop sacked

MANILA, Philippines - Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Nicanor Bartolome ordered yesterday the relief of Muntinlupa’s police chief, Senior Superintendent Ramiro Bausa, who will also be investigated for possible lapses in connection with the mall robbery and bank explosion.

Bausa will be temporarily assigned at the National Capital Region Police Office regional police holding administration unit while he is under investigation, NCRPO director Chief Superintendent Leonardo Espina said.

He will be replaced by Senior Superintendent Conrad Capa, Southern Police District directorial staff chief, who will hold the position in concurrent capacity.

Bausa was sacked from his post as Muntinlupa police chief last year after National Bureau of Investigation agents rounded up several bet collectors and bettors during a raid at a gambling den in the city.

However, he was reinstated after it turned out those arrested were not playing the illegal numbers game jueteng – for which the PNP has a one-strike policy – but other gambling games. 

In an interview with reporters yesterday, Bausa described the two incidents as “isolated.” He said what happened yesterday was “normal” and that police officers regularly patrol the area.