PNP wants 13 police officers in Atimonan rubout sacked

MANILA, Philippines -The Philippine National Police has recommended the dismissal from the service of the 13 police officers who were involved in the Atimonan shootout on  January 6 last year when 13 people were killed.

The PNP Internal Affairs Service recommended the sacking of Police Superintendents Hansel Marantan and Ramon Balauag, Senior Police Inspectors John Paulo Carracedo and Timoteo Orig, Chief Inspector Grant Golod, Senior Police Officer 3 Joselito de Guzman, Senior Police Officers 1  Claro Cataquiz Jr. and Arturo Sarmiento, Police Officer 3 Eduardo Olonan, Police Officers 2 Nelson Indal and Al Bhazar Jailani, and Police Officers 1 Wryan Sardea and Rodel Talento.

Marantan was the leader of a police team that participated in the Atimonan rubout  that killed 13 people including alleged jueteng kingpin Vic Siman.

The IAS also recommended one rank demotion to Police Inspectors Ferdinand Aguilar and Evaristo San Juan, Police Officer 3 Benedict Dimayuga, and Police Officers 2 Ronnie Serdena and Esperidion Corpuz Jr.

On the other hand, the IAS also recommended the six-month suspension of Police Officers 1 Allen Ayobo and Bernie de Leon.

The case against Police Chief Superintendent James Melad and Senior Superintendent Valeriano Templo de Leon, being presidential appointees, was forwarded to the National Police Commission for proper disposition, the IAS said.

Two administrative cases against in connection with the Atimonan shootout are still pending before the Legal Affairs Division of the IAS.