Six Mabolo cops sacked, to undergo admin inquiry
The six Cebu City policemen accused of allegedly extorting P200,000 from a female detainee last July 14 were relieved from their posts and will undergo an administrative investigation.
Chief Supt. Noli Taliño, Police Regional Office chief, said yesterday that the administrative investigation is based on the complaint of the detainee’s daughter.
Police investigators also secured an audio recording of the conversation between the complainant and one of the respondents who asked for money in exchange for the release of the 51-year-old detainee.
Named respondents were PO3 Christopher Sanchez, PO3 Douglas Dela Peña, PO3 Elvic Gabito, PO1 Victor Aguilar, PO1 Ronnie Tomaquin, and PO3 Baby Ansgar Reales.
“They were identified by the complainant,” Taliño said in an interview.
Saying extortion is a grave offense under the rules and regulations of the Philippine National Police, Taliño said the six policemen may face dismissal from service if found liable of demanding money from a detainee.
The respondents are detailed at the Regional Personnel Holding Accountability Unit pending resolution of the administrative charges filed against them.
As part of due process, Senior Supt. Rey Lyndon Lawas, deputy director for operations of PRO-7, said the respondents will be given the chance to explain their side and refute the allegations.
“Despite our intensified campaign to cleanse our ranks, it’s so painful to think that some policemen seem to be challenging the organization. Although these six policemen will be given the chance to explain, they should expect a strong conduct of the investigation against them,” he said.
Mia (not her real name) claimed that the six policemen went to their home in Barangay Apas, Cebu City at past 9 p.m. last July 14 and searched their belongings.
She said the policemen brought her 51-year-old mother to the police precinct for allegedly keeping illegal drugs.
After an hour, Mia said her mother called her through the cellphone, saying the police wanted to talk to her.
Mia said one of the police officers demanded P200,000 from her in exchange for her mother’s release.
She recorded her conversation with the police through her cell phone.
Lawas said they need to verify whether or not the policemen brought with them a search warrant.
Mia, he said, claimed that no warrant was shown to them before searching their house.
“Based on the police operational procedure, there’s something wrong with the conduct of the search. Even if there was a search warrant, it should have been shown to the complainant,” Lawas said.
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