8 Los Baños cops rapped for protecting criminal gangs

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna, Philippines – Administrative charges were filed yesterday before the Regional Internal Affair Service against eight policemen for allegedly protecting criminal gangs in Los Baños town, which lately has been hounded by a rash of robberies.

Among the victims of these robbery-slays were 19-year-old University of the Philippines (UPLB) BS Agriculture student Ray Bernand Peñaranda and Los Baños National High School student Rochel Geronda.

Chief Superintendent James Melad, Calabarzon police director, said he ordered the eight lawmen to submit themselves before the investigating body.

Melad refused to identify the eight policemen, saying he would do so only after the investigation.

He told The STAR that the eight lawmen had been sacked from their posts and transferred to different police units in the Calabarzon region.

Melad said the eight were among the 53 Los Baños policemen removed from their posts on the heels of Peñaranda’s killing.

Melad said the eight policemen allegedly coddled several criminal gangs that preyed on UPLB students.

He said four criminal gangs with at least three to four members are now in the watch list of the Los Baños police.

Melad said he has instructed Senior Superintendent Gilbert Cruz, Laguna police director, to conduct saturation drives against these criminal gangs.