Napolcom probes contraband smuggling by cops at Bilibid

MANILA, Philippines – The National Police Commission (Napolcom) has ordered a probe of the smuggling of contraband by 16 police officers at the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City.

Napolcom vice chairman Rogelio Casurao said he ordered the investigation, saying that any report of illegal activities should be investigated thoroughly.

“We can immediately initiate a pre-charge investigation to determine if the case has merit,” he said in Filipino during an interview over dzMM yesterday.

If the policemen are proven to have tried to smuggle illegal goods into the national penitentiary, Casurao vowed to dismiss them from the service.

“The way it was reported in the news, I believe that grave misconduct is the proper charge,” he said.

Traitors

The police officers who were part of the contingent tasked to secure the NBP can be considered traitors if the allegations against them are proven true, said Casurao.

“They committed a breach of trust,” he said.

National Capital Region Police Office chief Brig. Gen. Debold Sinas said yesterday he reassigned the policemen to the NCRPO’s Regional Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit to make them easily available while they are being probed by the Regional Investigation and Detective Management Division (RIDMD).

“Let us also observe their rights to be investigated. We should not condemn them immeidately. Let us give them a chance to explain,” he said in a statement.

The 16 policemen were among the 551 police officers from the NCRPO’s Regional Mobile Force Company deployed to secure the prison’s maximum security compound.

Reports said the policemen were frisked upon entering or leaving the compound and caught carrying liquor, electronic gadgets and tobacco.

Sinas said the RIDMD is expected to issue its final evaluation of the case on Friday.

He said he plans to replace the NCRPO personnel deployed to the NBP every other month to avoid corruption.