IAS to file motion for reconsideration to dismiss Pampanga ‘ninja cop’
MANILA, Philippines — The unit investigating alleged rogue police officers will submit a motion for reconsideration to revert to dismissal the punishment against one of the policemen involved in the controversial drug raid in Pampanga in 2013.
On Monday, Lt. Gen. Archie Gamboa, officer-in-charge of the PNP, said he temporarily downgraded to a suspension of 59 days the penalty for Lt. Joven De Guzman since the less grave neglect of duty found against him by the PNP Internal Affairs Service does not deserve dismissal from the service.
“Yung demand ko (My demand was that) he will be charged again but this time for a graver offense and sa nakikita ko sa (based on what I see from) records, there is enough and substantial evidence then I think he will also be dismissed from the service,” said Gamboa.
In a resolution signed on October 10, IAS originally recommended the dismissal of seven police officers involved in an alleged irregular anti-drug operation in Antipolo City, Rizal on May 4, where De Guzman served as the team leader of the operating team.
Incidentally, four of the seven police officers are among the 13 lawmen allegedly involved in the Pampanga drug raid that has been the subject of a Senate investigation recently.
READ: PNP dismisses 6 ‘ninja cops’
IAS director Alfegar Triambulo said that once the IAS receives the official copy of Gamboa’s decision, the unit has 10 days to submit before the OIC’s office a motion for reconsideration to revert the sanction to De Guzman’s ultimate removal from the PNP.
“Kung matanggap namin officially, then mag-file po kami ng motion for reconsideration na dapat ibalik sa dismissal ‘yung penalty ni De Guzman (If we receive it officially, then we will file a motion for reconsideration so that the penalty for De Guzman will be reverted to dismissal),” Triambulo said in an interview with reporters.
He added the IAS respects the “judgment call” of Gamboa in asking the unit to review its recommendation for the penalty against De Guzman.
“Kung ano man ay ginagalang po [namin] ang isang nakakataas sa amin sapagkat sila ay may power of control. They can reverse, revise, amend or substitute their own judgement doon sa aming recommendation, kaya hindi po kami umaangal dyan,” said Triambulo.
(Whatever his decision, we will respect it because they have the power of control. They can reverse, revise, amend, or substitute their own judgment in our recommendation, so we don’t grumble on that.)/ac
