No second chance for corrupt cops – Marbil

MANILA, Philippines — Corrupt personnel of the Philippine National Police will not be given second chances, PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil said yesterday. “This is no longer just about rogue officers, it is a failure of leadership,” Marbil said.

Eight officers of the Eastern Police District (EPD) are facing charges of robbery, unlawful arrest, kidnapping and serious illegal detention after raiding the residence of two Chinese nationals on April 2 in Las Piñas.

The EPD officers allegedly extorted money from the Chinese nationals after serving an invalid arrest warrant.

Probers said the officers disabled closed-circuit television cameras in the residence and forcibly opened a vault containing cash in pesos, US dollars and Malaysian ringgit, along with jewelry, electronics and other personal items.

The suspects were turned over to the Department of Justice for inquest proceedings.

A ninth suspect remains at large.

On Saturday, Brig. Gen. Villamor Tuliao was sacked as EPD director, while all 31 members of the EPD special operations unit were reassigned.

“Those involved must be summarily dismissed from the service and permanently disqualified from holding any position in government,” Marbil said.

“If the EPD director is found liable under the principle of command responsibility, he will never be trusted with any position of leadership again,” he noted.

Metro Manila police chief Maj. Gen. Anthony Aberin has vowed “no mercy” for the eight police officers.

Aside from the absence of body-worn cameras and a commissioned officer, the anomalous operation lacked coordination with Las Piñas police and had no clearance, Aberin noted.

The PNP-Internal Affairs Service and Metro Manila police have been directed to conduct a full and impartial investigation.

In a joint statement, Laguna Rep. Dan Fernandez and Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers lauded Marbil for his swift action.

“This is exactly the kind of action the public has long demanded. Rogue police officers are not just being relieved. They’re being sent to jail,” Fernandez said.

“Their superiors are being held accountable. That’s what real command responsibility looks like,” Barbers said.

32 senior cops promoted

Meanwhile, Marbil has called on 32 newly promoted star-rank police officers to lead with integrity and embrace frontline service.

Comprising 28 police brigadier generals and four police major generals, Marbil told senior officers their promotion “is not merely about wearing new stars on their shoulders, it’s about the impact they will make.”

Among the newly promoted major generals are Aberin; Jericho Baldeo, director for information and communications technology management; Lex Gurat, director for plans and Neri Vincent Ignacio, director for logistics.

President Marcos approved the promotions upon recommendation of the National Police Commission. – Jose Rodel Clapano