By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan
MANILA – Five officers of the Philippine National Police–Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) on Friday filed a joint complaint before the National Police Commission (Napolcom) against their former superior at the Special Operations Division (SOD) for alleged bribery during a police operation in June.
Lt. Adolfo Mendoza, PSMS Aladin Orale, PSMS Ronnie Vergoles, PMSG Krizzia Barola and Pat. Arnel Fontillas Jr. accused Col. Rommel Casanova Estolano of pocketing at least PHP7 million in bribes to protect a high-profile detainee and manipulate criminal cases.
They sued Estolano for grave misconduct, dishonesty, dereliction of duty, and conduct unbecoming of a police officer and prejudicial to the best interest of the service, and sought his immediate dismissal from the service.
The complainants said Estolano’s removal is necessary “to restore integrity and public trust in the PNP.”
At a press briefing held at the Napolcom headquarters in Quezon City, Napolcom Vice Chairperson and Executive Officer Rafael Vicente Calinisan said due process will be given to Estolano.
“’Yung kanilang complaint ay i-evaluate ng (Napolcom’s Inspection Monitoring and Investigation Service). After which kung meron kailangan mag progress papasagutin si Col. Estolano i-evaluate ulit (Their complaint will be evaluated by the Napolcom’s Inspection Monitoring and Investigation Service. If the complaint progresses, Col. Estolano will be made to be answer),” Calinisan said.
After evaluation comes the decision on whether to file a formal charge before the Legal Affairs Service.
On June 13, Mendoza, Orale and Vergoles apprehended a certain J.J. Javier and his driver in Parañaque City over a blinker attached to their luxury vehicle and the absence of the tail license plate.
Javier and his companion also failed to show a valid vehicle registration. The arrest yielded a Glock 19 Gen5 pistol, live ammunition, bulletproof vests, and a C4 explosive device.
Orale said it took them up to three hours to drag the uncooperative Javier to the HPG headquarters at Camp Crame in Quezon City.
The case was endorsed to Estolo, but the latter claimed he was friends with Javier, allegedly a big-time sponsor when the officer was still with the Calabarzon police.
“Pinagalitan pa nga niya ako eh… Sabi niya, ‘Nasan si JJ?’ (Sabi ko), nandon sir sa investigation kinukuhanan ng affidavit. Tapos doon na siya pumunta. Doon, kinuha niya si JJ at pinapunta niya sa loob ng opisina niya (He reprimanded me… He said, ‘Where is JJ?’ (I said), Sir, he is there in the investigation section for his affidavit. So, he went there and took JJ and brought him with him inside his office),” he added.
Prosecutors later found probable cause to indict Javier for illegal possession of firearms and explosives.
Instead of upholding the case, however, the officers claimed Estolano engaged in “a series of illegal and corrupt acts” to shield Javier while punishing those who resisted his directives.
According to the complainants’ affidavit, Javier’s lawyer facilitated three major bribe transactions with Estolano: PHP2 million to secure the dismissal of a case in Parañaque City; PHP1 million for privileged treatment, which reportedly allowed Javier to enjoy special favors while in detention, including temporary release; and PHP4 million to weaken a separate complaint in Quezon City for violation of the firearms and explosives laws.
The complainants likewise alleged that Estolano filed retaliatory charges against them after they refused his order to drop Javier’s cases.
They asserted that the acts described constituted bribery, obstruction of justice, malicious prosecution, and violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act as well as the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials.
Estolano countered that Javier’s warrant of arrest was recalled.
“Ang buong katotohanan, nowhere to run na sila kaya pumunta nalang ng Napolcom dahil sa warrant of arrest na recalled na pero pilit i-serve ng mga [complainants] (The truth is the complainants have nowhere to run but the Napolcom. The warrant of arrest has already been recalled but they insisted on serving it),” he told reporters. (PNA)
