MANILA, Philippines ? Forty-two policemen in the National Capital Region have been dismissed for grave offenses.

Four of the 42 policemen, who were reported to be involved in sensational cases, were commissioned officers while the rest were noncommissioned officers.

Director Geary Barias of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) ordered the officers in charge of the regional summary hearing to speed up the investigation of other pending cases against erring cops.

The dismissal orders came after Barias ordered the investigation of Metro Manila policemen who were allegedly not reporting for duty but were receiving regular salaries.

?Of the 42 cops ordered dismissed, 18 were proven beyond reasonable doubt to have committed grave offenses or were involved in what were considered sensational cases,? Barias said.

Among those dismissed was Supt. Jose Dayco of the Southern Police District. Dayco, with SPO1 Francisco Tulang, was charged with robbery and arbitary detention by two employees of P. J. Lhuillier Inc., a pawnshop.

Also dismissed for grave misconduct were Inspectors Mark Lawrence Olivia and Ricardo de Guzman of the Eastern Police District, and Insp. Edgardo Reyes of the Manila Police District.

PO1 Abdupara Tula of the SPD, who was arrested during a police raid of a pot session at Maharlika Village in Taguig City last year, was also dismissed.

PO2s Oliver Yumul and Ruben Baliong of the EPD were also sacked after being found guilty of planting evidence and beating up a man.

PO1 Roal Sabiniano of the Quezon City Police District was ordered dismissed for charges of robbery extortion, acts of lasciviousness and grave coercion filed by Veronica Mendoza.

The NCRPO also demoted five officers, suspended 173, reprimanded and admonished 79 for minor offenses involving internal discipline, like misconduct, negligence, insubordination, frequent absences and habitual drunkenness.

About 266 cops will have to forfeit their salaries for various offenses.