Dismiss them
Police Lieutenant Joven de Guzman has finally been dismissed from the PNP. This "police officer" was involved in the controversial operation in Antipolo where they raided a house and made off with so many valuables and cash in the guise of an anti-drug operation. This guy was also involved in the likewise controversial buy-bust operation in Mexico, Pampanga, in 2013. This prompted several Senate hearings where the team leader's bungling answers exposed not only his stupidity but the whole scheme. It also involved the former PNP chief Police General Oscar Albayalde whose accountability is now being investigated. I, along with many others, did not understand why de Guzman was only given a two-month suspension while three other police officers also involved in Antipolo and Pampanga were dismissed outright.
This is proof that when a police officer commits a crime they are more likely to repeat it. They are not satisfied with what they have in spite of police wages being doubled. I think the more money they received only triggered insatiable greed. They cannot pass up on an opportunity to make easy money even if by criminal means. I wonder how many cops have gone down that path but are still in service today?
Another baffling case is the murder of Citizens Crime Watch (CCW) officer Zenaida Luz in Oriental Mindoro in 2016 by Police Captain Magdalino Pimentel Jr. and Police Lieutenant Markson Almeranez. They were granted bail in 2017 despite first-degree murder charges because the bullets found at the scene of the crime did not match the gun of Pimentel. They were then transferred to another unit and received their respective salaries.
But one of those involved in the crime has already turned state witness in exchange for protection, of course. Tyrone Fabella, who was on a second motorcycle, admitted to exchanging guns with Pimentel so the bullets would not match. At the time he did not know why the exchange was made. In light of this testimony, the court should grant the petition of CCW to cancel the bail granted the two officers and return them to jail immediately. If they haven't been so, they must be dismissed from the PNP immediately.
This case would interest if not make you shake your head in disbelief. After shooting Luz in front of her house, the two policemen fled on a motorcycle but were met by police who were also in the area. A shootout ensued but when the suspects were wounded and realized they could be killed, they shouted "tropa, tropa" to indicate they were also policemen. Pimentel was wearing a ski mask while Almenarez was wearing a woman's wig. The reason is obvious. It seems like a case of res ipsa loquitur. Shouldn't this case have been solved right away? The killing of Luz was one of the first instances of extrajudicial killings. To this day the motive behind her murder is unclear. However, the two policemen should be returned to jail and the case should move forward. Luz should be given justice if that is still possible.
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