9 Navotas cops sacked over torture allegation

MANILA, Philippines — Nine Navotas policemen have been relieved from their posts over allegations that they tortured two murder suspects to force a confession, the Philippine National Police announced yesterday.

PNP spokesman Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuano said the Internal Affairs Service (IAS) and National Police Commission (Napolcom) have launched separate investigations into the case, which stemmed from complaints filed against the officers last week.

Tuano said the IAS conducted interviews on Nov. 27 after receiving a subpoena related to the alleged torture.

Napolcom launched its own inquiry the following day and was given copies of the documents gathered by IAS.

The suspects include the chief investigator of the Navotas police.

They have been relieved and placed under the Northern Police District’s Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit.

They were charged on Nov. 21 with grave misconduct, serious irregularity in the performance of duty and conduct unbecoming of a police officer.

The main suspect in the murder case is facing double murder charges while the other suspects are under further investigation.

Tuano said the PNP would wait for the results of the IAS and Napolcom investigations.

“The process is moving and the officers involved are now under administrative control while the probes continue,” Tuano said.