70 NCRPO cops charged

MANILA, Philippines — Seventy police officers have been slapped with administrative charges, including 13 who were sacked for serious offenses, since Brig. Gen. Christopher Abrahano took charge of the National Capital Region Police Office in August.

The NCRPO reported yesterday that 13 police officers were sacked for taking an absence without leave as well as for committing violence against women and children, human trafficking and estafa, among other offenses.

Fifty-seven personnel have been suspended for committing lighter infractions, such as unlawful arrest, discharge of firearms, dishonesty, negligence and other violations of police protocol.

The sanctions come as the NCRPO aims to remove its administrative backlogs.

Abrahano directed district directors to identify erring cops and immediately take appropriate action.

“We do not want administrative cases left pending indefinitely,” Abrahano said in a statement. “We cannot demand discipline from the public if we cannot enforce discipline within our own ranks.”

The NCRPO said its internal cleansing campaign is not merely to punish cops, but to gain the public’s trust.

5 Taguig cops relieved

In Taguig, five police officers, including the commander of the city’s police substation 9, were sacked from their posts for failing to arrest a suspected drug user.

“This is not a finding of guilt or any wrongdoing, but rather to pave the way for an impartial investigation without undue influence,” Philippine National Police spokesman Col. Allen Rae Co said.

The suspension stemmed from an incident in Barangay New Lower Bicutan wherein a barangay official called for police assistance over a 24-year-old man who was allegedly using marijuana.

Four police officers in civilian clothes arrived and attempted to arrest the suspect.

However, the man’s relatives and other bystanders allegedly intervened.

“They ganged up on the arresting officers,” Co said.

To avoid a riot, the four opted not to apprehend the suspect, which Co said is now the subject of an investigation. He reminded police officers that they are mandated to carry out their duties at all times.

“If you see a crime, it wouldn’t matter if people gang up on you,” Co said.