7 Caloocan cops axed over altar boy’s death

MANILA, Philippines — For their actions that led to the death of a 20-year-old altar boy from leptospirosis, seven police officers in Caloocan City were dismissed from the service, the National Police Commission announced yesterday.

The Napolcom found the seven guilty of grave misconduct, grave dishonesty, conduct unbecoming of a police officer and incompetence.

They are Capt. Romel Caburog, Lt. Jeffren Aganos, M/Sgt. Ryan Candelario, Staff Sergeants Stephen Somlani, Darwin Indiongco and Rodolfo King Bautista as well as Cpl. Marvin Resumadero.

They have 10 days to file a motion for reconsideration, according to Napolcom vice chairman and executive officer Rafael Vicente Calinisan.

The administrative cases filed against the policemen stemmed from the warrantless arrest of Jayson dela Rosa in July.

Dela Rosa’s son, Dion Angelo, died of leptospirosis after wading through floodwaters while looking for the father for days.

Calinisan said the dismissal of the Caloocan officers should serve as a lesson for other police personnel who falsify reports about arrests and filing trumped-up charges.

Dela Rosa was arrested for allegedly shoplifting at a convenience store on July 22. When the employees of the establishment declined to press charges, police alleged that he was arrested for playing cara y cruz, an illegal numbers game.

Dela Rosa’s son went looking for him for several days until he contracted leptospirosis and died on July 27.

Dela Rosa thanked the Napolcom for giving justice in the death of his son.