10 cops in robbery of sabungeros axed

MANILA, Philippines — Ten policemen are in hot water for allegedly robbing cockfight players in Bacolor, Pampanga.

Brig. Gen. Matthew Baccay, Central Luzon police director, ordered the administrative relief of Senior M/Sgt. Rommel Nool; Corporals Resty Delima, Jayarr Macaraeg, Alvin Pastorin and Norman Lazaga, and Patrolmen Jhusua Fernandez, Bryan Steve Pasquin, Bjay Sales, Jayson Martinez and Jeff Van Cruz.

The 10 were disarmed and transferred to the Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit.

“We did not fall short in our warnings and memo directives reminding all PNP (Philippine National Police) personnel to never engage in illegal activities. This will serve as a stern warning to all PNP personnel. We will continue to weed out hoodlums and punish the undisciplined among our ranks,” Baccay said.

Col. Jonas Amparo, regional deputy director for operations, said robbery complaints were also filed against the 10 policemen.

Macaraeg, Delima and Nool are members of the Pampanga drug enforcement unit. The seven others are with the provincial intelligence unit.

“A report from the Bacolor police said the alleged robbery occurred during a cockfight at a residential compound in Barangay Duat on March 19.

The victims reported the incident to the office of the provincial governor and town mayor on Wednesday.

Initial investigation showed the policemen barged into the compound and accosted the complainants for engaging in tupada or illegal cockfight.

The policemen also reportedly took the money of the complainants worth P379,700 as well as their other valuables.

Instead of bringing them to the police station for investigation, the complainants said the law enforcers fled the scene in several vehicles. – Emmanuel Tupas