Officials urge PNP chief to probe coddler of Kuratong member

A group of Camp Crame-based police officers urged yesterday Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Leandro Mendoza to order an investigation of a police colonel (superintendent) for reportedly coddling a notorious Kuratong Baleleng gang member.

In an interview yesterday, the group who came from various police offices at the national headquarters, were unanimous in their allegations that the police colonel has been using his office to support the needs of the Kuratong Baleleng gang member.

Since the alleged gang member nor the police officer concerned, could not be reached for their reaction, The STAR is withholding their indentities.

"It’s high time for our PNP chief, to order a probe on the irregular activities of our colleague," a ranking police official, the most vocal among his group, said. The police official and the group was referring to, is presently assigned at the Traffic Management Group (TMG) at Camp Crame.

They described the Kuratong Baleleng gang member as a henchman of Senior Superintendents Michael Ray Aquino and Cesar Mancao of the defunct Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force (PAOCTF).

"It’s nothing for us if our colleague is providing him that financial and material support using his office, but what is disgusting is that this Kuratong Baleleng member is now actively engaged in various criminal undertakings, such as kidnapping for ransom and carjacking," the official claimed.

He added that it is for the best interest of the PNP as an organization if Mendoza will order a probe on their colleagues.

Mendoza knows the police official and his past records, being one of the principal accused in the May 14, 1995 alleged summary executions of 11 Kuratong Baleleng gang members along Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City, the official said.