By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan
MANILA – A police officer with the rank of brigadier general is facing dismissal from the service for command responsibility over the alleged unlawful arrest, arbitrary detention, and robbery of four Chinese nationals in a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) establishment in Parañaque City in September last year.
Inspector Gen. Brigido Dulay, Philippine National Police – Internal Affairs Service (PNP-IAS) chief, said Friday he has submitted to the office of PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil the recommendation to dismiss the official, whose name was withheld, after he was found guilty under the principle of command responsibility and gross neglect of duty.
“The decision underscores the PNP’s unwavering commitment to accountability and integrity within its ranks,” Dulay said in a news release.
The administrative case stemmed from a controversial raid on a condominium in Parañaque City by the Southern Police District – District Special Operations Unit (SPD-DSOU) on Sept. 16, 2023.
The SPD, then headed by Brig. Gen. Roderick Mariano, reported that 10 Chinese and a Filipino were arrested, leading to the rescue of several Chinese nationals and the confiscation of PHP4.6 million in cash.
However, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) pointed out alleged irregularities in the service of the search warrant after the arrested Chinese nationals complained about being arbitrarily detained and claimed that personal belongings not included in the warrant were illegally seized by the police.
Subsequent investigations showed that the involved officers confiscated PHP27 million in cash not subject to the search warrant, and deliberately excluded the sizable amount of cash and other personal items from the official inventory of recovered evidence.
Additionally, the officers were found to have planted firearms at the scene, attempted to destroy closed-circuit television (CCTV) recordings, and deactivated their body-worn cameras during the operation.
Ten police personnel involved in the incident were dismissed from the service after being found guilty of grave misconduct, grave irregularity in the performance of duty, grave neglect of duty, conduct unbecoming of a police officer, less grave misconduct, and less grave neglect of duty.
Seven other cops were demoted while 17 more were suspended.
The lAS said it found that the police general neglected his duty to ensure that operations were conducted based on established protocols and ethical standards, leading to serious breaches of conduct by subordinate officers.
As the commanding officer, the police general also failed to exercise effective oversight and control over the personnel involved in the operation by failing to take prompt and concrete actions against his subordinates for significant procedural violations and gross misconduct under his command, it said.
Dulay emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability within the ranks of the PNP.
“Command responsibility is not just a principle; it is a cornerstone of ethical law enforcement. Leaders must ensure that their teams operate within the bounds of the law. When they fail, they will be held accountable,” he added. (PNA)
