9 Manila cops fired for allegedly collecting money from illegal vendors

MANILA, Philippines — Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso on Monday dismissed nine ranking police officers from Manila Precinct 11 for allegedly collecting money from illegal vendors in Binondo.

According to the newly-installed mayor, the police officers were found to be connected with “organizers” who charge fees so vendors can sell their wares at illegal spots.

“It seems at certain times of the day, pagtalikod ko, may mga ilang individual uniformed personnel engaging, interacting (with) so called ‘organizers’ and barangay officials,” Moreno said in a news conference.

“Saan kayo nakakita na ang barangay chairman, utusan ang colonel? Saan kayo nakakita na ang barangay chairman, utusan ang major?” he added.

The Manila Public Information Office identified the relieved officers as Lt. Col. Antonietto Eric Mendoza, Maj. Robinson Maranion, Maj. Alden Panganiban, Cpt. Jerry Garces, Cpt. Bernardino Venturina, Cpt. Manuel Calleja, Lt. Jerry Campo, Lt. Maricel Pili, and Lt. Maribel Casayuran.

In the same news conference, Moreno presented some of the new police officers for Manila Precinct 11. They are: Lt. Col. Noel Calderon Aliño, Major Salvador Bagne Tangdol, and Captain Manolito Vedana Flores.

Moreno then warned that there will be no letup on his administration’s campaign against corruption in order to clean-up the city.

“I will not stop, I will not hesitate. The people of Manila deserve better from the city government of Manila,” he said.

“‘Di ko na papangalanan. Poposanan ko na lang,” he added. (Editor: Katherine G. Adraneda)