PNP-Internal Affairs Service axes 54 cops

MANILA, Philippines — The Internal Affairs Service (IAS) has dismissed 54 police officers who were earlier arrested by the Counter-Intelligence Task Force (CITF) while in the act of committing illegal activities, an official said yesterday.

IAS Inspector General Alfegar Triambulo said 54 policemen were dismissed, two others were demoted and two others were suspended from from July 2016 to May 7.

Triambulo said these cases are based on the complaint filed by the CITF, the police unit created to go after policemen committing illegal activities using their uniform.

He said there are still 27 cases filed by CITF pending with the IAS, an independent and impartial body in the Philippine National Police (PNP) mandated to investigate administrative cases against police officers.

Earlier, a total of 278 policemen, including a superintendent, were ordered dismissed from the service by IAS for drug use from July 2016 to May 7.

Triambulo said the 278 dismissed police officers include a superintendent, a chief inspector, a senior inspector, two inspectors, a senior police officer 4, two SPO3s, eight SPO2s, 22 SPO1s, 58 police officers 3, 66 PO2s and 116 PO1s.

He said five other policemen who tested positive for drug use died prior to the resolution of the case against them.

Triambulo said IAS docketed a total of 124 cases in 2017, which is lower compared to the number of cases docketed in 2016 with 150.

Drug tests

PNP chief Director General Oscar Albayalde has ordered random drug tests for police officers after a member of the elite Special Action Force tested positive for shabu in Taguig City over the weekend.

Meanwhile, at least 253 police officers from Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, and Valenzuela cities underwent a surprise drug test yesterday as part of the bid by the Northern Police District (NPD) to clean its ranks.

NPD director Chief Superintendent Amando Clifton Empiso said those who test positive for drug use will be presented to the media, dismissed from service and charged in court.

He also warned police officers against asking for payment in exchange for dismissing cases. He advised any victim to visit his office and file a complaint.

At least 104 police officers from Marikina, led by city police chief Senior Superintendent Roger Quesada, were also subjected to random drug tests yesterday. – With Marc Jayson Cayabyab, Non Alquitran