4 cops suspended for trike driver’s death

MANILA, Philippines — The Quezon City People’s Law Enforcement Board (PLEB) has ordered the preventive suspension for 90 days of at least four police officers in connection with a hit-and-run accident that killed a tricycle driver.

The PLEB, headed by lawyer Rafael Vicente Calinisan, yesterday suspended Lt. Col. Mark Julio Abong, the owner of a pickup that killed tricycle driver Joel Laroa at the corner of Anonas and Pajo streets in Barangay Quirino 2-A on Aug. 6.

The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) earlier relieved Abong as chief of the criminal investigation and detection unit.

Also suspended were QCPD Station 3 commander Lt. Col. Alexander Barredo, traffic investigator S/MSgt. Jose Soriano, Cpl. Joan Vicente, another police officer in the QCPD Mobile 290 patrol car and the responding police officers from the QCPD Station 9.

The PLEB issued the suspension order to prevent police officers from “tampering with evidence and from duly influencing the witnesses that the complainants will produce in their case.”

Laroa’s relatives earlier filed complaints against the lawmen for grave misconduct, grave neglect of duty and conduct unbecoming of a police officer as they suspect a cover-up in the investigation of his case.

They accused Barredo, Vicente and unnamed officers of failing to arrest Abong.

They also said Soriano made them sign a complaint exonerating Abong and shifting liability to another person without an explanation.

Abong has claimed the pickup truck’s caretaker, Ronald Centino, was the one driving his vehicle, without his consent, during the accident.

Laroa’s family believes that Abong was the one driving his pickup when the accident occurred.

Laroa died in a hospital due to blood loss brought about by injuries on his left leg. His passenger, Rozelle Morales, was injured. –  Janvic Mateo