MANILA, Philippines — Another police officer allegedly involved in the “ninja cops” or recycling of illegal drugs mess in Pampanga and an irregular anti-drug operation in Antipolo City has been ordered dismissed from the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Lt. Gen. Archie Gamboa, PNP officer-in-charge, announced in a press briefing on Monday that he ordered the dismissal of Lt. Joven De Guzman from the police service.
PNP-OIC Lt. Gen. Archie Gamboa announced the dismissal from the police service of Lt. Joven De Guzman(Photo by Noy Morcoso/Inquirer.net)
The dismissal order, however, is not related to the controversial 2013 drug raid in Pampanga but to the questionable anti-drug operation in Antipolo City in May this year, where De Guzman acted as the leader of the operating team.
READ: PNP-IAS to decide fate of Pampanga ‘ninja cop’ in a week — Gamboa
During that operation, police officers fired at the vehicle of a certain Arnold Gramaje Jr. after he allegedly refused to alight from his vehicle as ordered by the lawmen.
Gramaje sped off, but the police officers caught up with him in his residence where they allegedly seized cash and other valuables from Gramaje.
Gamboa said such was a “highly-irregular activity.”
Six police officers involved in that operation were earlier ordered dismissed from the PNP.
Incidentally, four of the involved officers, including De Guzman, were also linked to the controversial drug raid in Pampanga that eventually led to the resignation of then-PNP chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde.
Initially, Gamboa recommended the 59-day suspension of De Guzman.
De Guzman’s culpability was probed anew by the Internal Affairs Service — the PNP unit handling cases of errant officers.
Gamboa said De Guzman did not present new evidence before IAS despite two notices.
“The investigation was very swift because he did not answer. It was tried ex parte. Ibig sabihin (This means that) without his participation, the case went ahead,” said Gamboa.
De Guzman, however, can still file a motion for reconsideration for the dismissal order.
Gamboa said the policeman has a maximum of 15 days to respond to the allegations. After that period, the dismissal order will be executory. /gsg