MANILA, Philippines — After finding probable cause, the National Police Commission (Napolcom) filed yesterday an administrative complaint against former Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) director Brig. Gen. Romeo Macapaz for tampering of evidence.
The charge for grave misconduct and conduct unbecoming of a police officer stemmed from the claim of Elakim Patidongan, brother of whistleblower Julie Patidongan, that his cell phone and that of his brother, Jose, were confiscated when they were taken from Cambodia.
When the phones were returned, the messages were allegedly deleted and the SD cards removed.
Elakim claimed that the act was aimed at impairing the availability of evidence related to the disappearance of the sabungeros.
“We found probable cause to file an administrative complaint,” said Edman Pares, Napolcom inspection, monitoring and investigation service staff chief.
Pares said the complaints against Macapaz, current director of the Soccsksargen police, were filed with the Napolcom legal affairs service.
The complaints against two other CIDG officials were dropped for lack of probable cause, Pares said.
Rafael Vicente Calinisan, Napolcom vice chairman, said they would give Macapaz an opportunity to present his side.
“We will give due process to everyone. We are not condemning anyone yet,” Calinisan said.
Asked if there is a need for Macapaz to be placed under preventive suspension, Calinisan said: “We will cross the bridge when we get there. But we will inform the public because it’s the public’s right to know.”
Macapaz previously said there was nothing irregular when the CIDG took custody of the Patidongan brothers.
He pointed out that the Philippine National Police even came to his defense when the PNP said the siblings would not have been “rescued” if not for his efforts.