NCRPO chief removes all Muntinlupa anti-drug cops

MANILA, Philippines — Six more police officers of the Muntinlupa City police’s anti-illegal drug unit, which figured in shakedowns of suspected drug users, were ordered relieved to pave the way for the overhaul of the unit, an official said yesterday.

National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) director Chief Superintendent Guillermo Eleazar said the six policemen were given administrative duties at the Muntinlupa City police headquarters pending investigation of their colleagues’ illegal activities.

However, should their names turn up during the investigation of their eight colleagues, the six policemen would also be charged criminally and administratively, Eleazar added.

According to Eleazar, it is up to the incoming city police chief to select police officers for the Station Drug Enforcement Unit or SDEU.

Eleazar was in Camp Crame for a consultation with Philippine National Police chief Director General Oscar Albayalde on who would replace Senior Superintendent Dionisio Bartolome, who was sacked as Muntinlupa police chief.

“We wanted the unit to start fresh and rise to the challenge of regaining the trust and confidence of the populace,” he said.

Eleazar’s move to relieve the six SDEU personnel came after eight of their colleagues were accused of extorting P400,000 from Abner Bumatay, 35, a construction foreman, in exchange for the release of his partner, Glaiza Iglesias, 33, and their child.

Senior Police Officer 1 Psylo Joe Jimenez, Police Officer 3 Romeo Par, PO2 Farvy dela Cruz and PO1 Jon-Jon Averlon were arrested in the SDEU office while Inspector Mark Kevin Pesigan, SPO1 Edgardo Zervoulakos and PO3s Charlie Miranda and Rhoderick Salvador remain at large and have been declared absent without leave.

The eight policemen were charged with kidnapping for ransom and robbery extortion before the Muntinlupa prosecutor’s office.

Eleazar is still studying additional charges to be filed against Jimenez after relatives of two suspected drug addicts arrested on July 3 also accused him of extortion.