13 HPG cops relieved after ‘clash’ with BOC

MANILA, Philippines — Thirteen personnel of the police Highway Patrol Group (HPG) have been reassigned following a confrontation with Bureau of Customs agents in Bulacan.

Journalist Ramon Tulfo said HPG personnel disarmed and held Customs agents at gunpoint to interfere with the destruction of smuggled cigarettes at an incineration plant.

Relieved from their posts were regional HPG chief Col. Joey Tomas Caise and 12 subordinates.

Caise was reassigned to the human resource management and doctrine development division at Camp Crame in Quezon City.

Twelve HPG personnel, including their alleged leader Lt. Col. Carlo Carreon Lonosa, were transferred to the administrative holding unit.

“We recognize the seriousness of the allegations and have taken immediate steps to ensure that the incident is properly investigated,” HPG director Brig. Gen. Rommel Batangan said.

Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno had alerted top officials of the Philippine National Police following the incident, Tulfo said.

The other relieved HPG officers are Maj. Romar Amparo Exile; M/Sergeants Dennis Attaban Ancheta, Jake Cleopas Balberde and Bryan Nicol Castillo; Corporals Melvin Da-Ut Habbiling, Edrick Prologo Semilla and Reneboy Puno Sumbilon, and Patrolmen Gabriel Darole Capellan, Jefrey Buela Carilo, Bill Anthony Birao Estrada and Andrew Bernardino Marzan. — Rainier Allan Ronda