QC station chief, 2 cops axed

MANILA, Philippines - The commander of the Galas police station in Quezon City and two of his men were relieved yesterday for allegedly stealing the P170,000 cockfight winnings of a Manila barangay chairman they accused of illegal possession of shabu.
National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) director Chief Superintendent Leonardo Espina ordered Superintendent Norberto Babagay and his men, PO3 Wilberto Blanco and PO2 William Blanco, disarmed, stripped of their badges and suspended effective Wednesday.
Babagay and the two Blancos were reassigned at the NCRPO’s regional police holding administrative unit while the Regional Investigation and Detective Management Division investigated the complaint of chairman Eduardo Torcelino of Barangay 711 in Malate, Manila against them.
“If found guilty, these policemen do not deserve another day in the service,” a visibly irked Espina said.
Babagay said he has all the documents to prove that the arrests of Torcelino and his companion, Muntinlupa businessman Herminigildo Patdu, on Oct. 5 are aboveboard. He went to the NCRPO yesterday afternoon to submit the documents. He also said he is accepting Espina’s order.
He said Torcelino’s complaint was “a harassment case” and accused the official of sending feelers in an “attempt” to bribe him. “He offered me a large sum. I refused,” Babagay said.
Different stories
Babagay said his men chanced upon Torcelino and Patdu in an altercation in front of a fastfood store at the Welcome Rotunda. He said his men saw Torcelino handing over a package to Patdu while another package remained with him. The two packages turned out to contain shabu, Babagay said.
He said the drug suspects underwent inquest proceedings with an initial resolution that the drug charges be filed in court, with no bail recommended. Three days later, Assistant City Prosecutor Alessandro Jurado said the case should undergo further investigation and ordered the release of the suspects.
Jurado cited the failure of the arresting officers to show that the two men are drug personalities and questioned the legality of their arrests. He also cited the absence of prior coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.
After their release, Torcelino and Patdu filed a formal complaint against the two policemen, saying the evidence against them was planted. Torcelino said he and his friend were walking toward the parking lot after dining at a food outlet when the policemen accosted them, took his P170,000 winnings from a cockfight bet, and brought them to the Galas police station on drug charges.
QCPD chief weighs in
Quezon City Police District director Chief Superintendent Mario dela Vega said Babagay’s move to file a motion before the Department of Justice to review Jurado’s ruling shows his police officers followed due process.
As of yesterday afternoon, Dela Vega has not received a copy of Espina’s relief order.
“We fear that these kinds of cases may bring about demoralization in our ranks. Our men might get scared of conducting legitimate operations if there are harassment cases like this,” he said.
Dela Vega has ordered Senior Superintendent Joel Pagdilao, QCPD deputy director for administration, to investigate the allegations against Babagay and his men.       – With Reinir Padua