PNP task force vs erring lawmen nets 4 in QC bar

The newly-created police unit tasked to go after errant lawmen made its first arrest on Wednesday when it caught four policemen and a civilian employee of the Philippine National Police (PNP) drinking and gambling inside a bar in Quezon City.

Police Col. Romeo Caramat Jr., PNP Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group (IMEG) director, identified those arrested as Police Chief Master Sergeant Demetrio Laroya Jr.,  Police Staff Sergeants Erwin Gobis and Gerry Ocampo, and Police Cpl. Ariel Pasion. Laroya, Gobis and Pasion were assigned at the PNP Health Service while Ocampo was with the PNP Crime Laboratory.

Also taken into custody were Leo Ocenar, a civilian employee of the PNP Directorate for Personnel Records and Management, and Fidel Agustin, a former policeman who was supposedly seeking reinstatement.

Caramat said his men also arrested Teddy Carpio, the operator of the illegal online “sabong” (cockfight) betting station inside the restaurant on 3rd Avenue in Cubao, Quezon City.

The PNP-IMEG operatives seized P14,430 in cash bets, a roll of betting tickets, television sets, a digital video recorder and bottles of wine.

According to Caramat, the operation was prompted by reports that several policemen had been spotted several times inside the bar, placing bets on the online cockfights and drinking liquor.

The suspects were charged with illegal gambling and violating the code of conduct and ethical standard for public officials and employees.