10 more Quezon City cops fired

MANILA, Philippines — Ten more personnel of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) were sacked from their posts yesterday due to alleged irregularities in the implementation of anti-crime operations.

The officers, who were assigned with the Holy Spirit police station 14, were disarmed and placed under restrictive custody while an investigation is ongoing, the QCPD said.

The identities of the policeman and nine non-commissioned officers were withheld. They are being probed for neglect of duty and grave misconduct.

The QCPD said the police officers reported the arrest of five men for illegal gambling on April 12.

However, validation by investigators showed there was a handbag with suspected dried marijuana leaves confiscated by police, which was not included in the inventory.

The illegal drugs were not turned over to the crime laboratory and no charges were filed against the suspects.

IAS probe

The police Internal Affairs Service (IAS) has started its investigation of four QCPD officers, three of whom allegedly released a female inmate without a court order.

IAS inspector general Brigido Dulay said a pre-charge investigation is underway, which could lead to the suspects’ dismissal from the police service and disqualification from holding government posts.

Maj. Don Don Llapitan has been relieved as head of the QCPD’s criminal investigation and detection unit.

Llapitan and his two subordinates – Lt. Dexter Bernadas and Chief M/Sgt. Danilo Pacurib – were sacked after they allegedly allowed a woman being held on four counts of qualified theft to leave police custody on April 18.

The inmate reportedly met with her relatives in a hotel in Quezon City.

Masambong police station 2 commander S/Sgt. Colonel Jordan Marzan got fired after he broke into a house in Barangay Damayan and attacked a girl – an incident that went viral on social media.

Dulay said the pre-charge probe could last up to seven days, which will be followed by summary hearings.

The proceedings may take up to three months as the respondents must be accorded due process, he said.