NCRPO chief sacks 6 cops in alleged kidnapping

MANILA, Philippines - The chief of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) on Monday ordered the disarming and removal of the badges of six Southern Police District (SPD) policemen allegedly engaged in kidnapping activities last Thursday.

NCRPO chief Director Leonardo Espina ordered to disarm and remove the badges of PO2 Herminigildo Emasa Gajeto Jr. and PO1 Ryan Hallegado Manga, and immediately arrest the four other police officers at-large identified as PO1 Domingo Abarico Jr., PO2 Micheal Marcos, PO2 Rigor Octaviano, and PO1 Dennis Quinto, who were allegedly involved in the kidnapping of Jinilind Rodriguez, 41, and Kevin Bajar, 23, last April 4.

“I ordered the disarming, removal of badge, and immediate conduct of summary dismissal proceedings for these six erring SPD policemen allegedly involved in kidnapping for ransom and robbery extortion,” Espina said.

The six policemen arrested Rodriquez and Bajar for possession of illegal drugs last Wednesday at Purok 4, Sucat in Muntinlupa City. The policemen demanded the amount of P40,000 in exchange for their release. Rodriguez asked help from her sister, Michelline (the complainant) to provide the amount that was later lowered to Php12,000.

But the complainant reported to the Anti-Kidnapping Group who planned the entrapment operation. During the pay-off in Parañaque City the elements of the Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG) arrested Gajeto and Manga while the other four officers involved were not there.

Based on investigations, Gajeto, Marcos, Manga, Abarico and Quinto are all facing administrative case prior to the incident.

The six police officers are now facing criminal charges of kidnap for ransom and administrative cases – robbery extortion and unlawful arrest. Meanwhile, the manhunt operation on the four policemen is ongoing.

In other development, Espina also signed on Monday the dismissal of 14 cops from the service; demotion of 14 others; and suspension of 30 other erring policemen of NCRPO.

These brings a total of 109 dismissed from PNP service; 46 demoted; and 172 suspended since Espina implemented his campaign on cleaning the ranks since September 7 last year.

“NCRPO will not tolerate the wrongdoings of its personnel. Any complaint and charges filed against them are jointly investigated and worked out by the Regional Investigation and Detective Management Division (RIDMD), Summary Hearing Officers (SHO) and Discipline, Law and Order Section (DLOS) before sanctions are implemented,” Espina explained. PNA