Napolcom demotes 2 cops, sacks hostage-taker’s brod

MANILA, Philippines - The National Police Commission (Napolcom) has demoted two police officers for mishandling the Rizal Park hostage crisis in August 2010 that resulted in the death of eight Hong Kong tourists.

Aside from demoting Superintendent Orlando Yebra and Chief Inspector Santiago David Pascual III, Napolcom also dismissed from service Senior Police Officer 2 Gregorio Mendoza, the brother of hostage-taker and former police captain Rolando Mendoza, for grave misconduct and serious neglect of duty.

In a statement released yesterday, Napolcom said Yebra and Pascual were meted a one-rank demotion after they were found guilty of gross incompetence. The penalty was implemented following a resolution of their appeal last January.

The order against the three police officers came after the Office of the President (OP) ordered last week the dismissal from service of former Manila Police District (MPD) director Chief Superintendent Rodolfo Magtibay for the bungled police operation.

The OP agreed with Napolcom findings, which found Magtibay liable for gross incompetence for failing to perform his duty as a ground commander during the incident that occurred at the Quirino Grandstand.

Magtibay’s case was forwarded to the OP for final decision as he was a presidential appointee, said Napolcom vice-chairman and executive officer Eduardo Escueta in the statement.

Napolcom ruled that Yebra failed in his duty as chief negotiator and crisis manager when he failed to control the hostage-taker.

On the other hand, Pascual, the team leader of MPD’s Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT), was found liable for the disorganized rescue operation.

Napolcom said Pascual failed to inform the ground commander that the MPD SWAT was not equipped to deal with the hostage crisis.

Gregorio, the Napolcom said, failed to perform his duty as a member of the negotiating panel.

It said Gregorio even aggravated the problem when he demanded the return of his service firearm in exchange for the release of the hostages by his brother.

Gregorio was also found guilty of violating a policy of the Philippine National Police prohibiting officers from carrying their service firearms while in civilian attire.