20 CIDG cops sacked by Bartolome for alleged irregularities
MANILA, Philippines—Twenty officers and personnel of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) who were linked to a series of irregularities and illegal activity were removed from their posts Monday by Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, Director General Nicanor Bartolome.
Bartolome instructed the Director for Personnel and Records Management (DPRM), Police Director Elpidio De Asis, to reassign these officers to the PNP Holding and Administrative Unit (PHAU) as to make sure that they will be available to face further investigation on their respective cases. At the same time, Bartolome also ordered the Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management (DIDM) to subject these officers to Pre-Charge Investigation to determine their criminal and administrative culpability.
“My instruction to DIDM is to throw the book at these deviant police officers. But first, they must be removed from the environment where they committed the alleged infraction in order for them not to unduly influence the investigation,” Bartolome said.
He said the PNP leadership will make sure that due process will work to the advantage of the police service and will not be used as a convenient excuse for these deviants to circumvent the law and PNP policy on internal discipline.
Relieved from CIDG and reassigned to PHAU of DPRM is former CIDG Task Force Maverick chief, Senior Superintendent Rhodel Sermonia, the subject of a complaint lodged by partylist Representative Arnel Tyfor for alleged obstruction of justice, unjust vexation, and violation of Republic Act 6713, or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.
The subject of a complaint for alleged robbery/ extortion and abduction of a Singaporean investor were Superintendent Honorio Agnila, former officer-in-charge of CIDG Anti-Fraud and Commercial Crimes Division; Chief Inspector Renato Ocampo; Senior Police Officer (SPO2) 2 Rene de Leon; SPO1 Rizaldy dela Cruz; SPO1 Alejandro Abrogar Jr.; and PO1 Rolando Blones.
Undergoing investigation for alleged infidelity in the custody of prisoners over the escape of Korean fugitive Kom Sung Kon are Chief Inspector Ruben Lacuesta; former chief of Southern Metro Manila CIDT; SPO2 Jose Yong; PO3 Noel Bunal; PO3 Joaquin Rafael Florendo; and PO2 Percival Villaluz.
Facing investigation for alleged robbery/ extortion of two Taiwanesse are Chief Inspector Bienvenido Reydado; SPO1 Veronica Villareal; and PO3 William Geneblazo.
Bartolome also ordered the relief of five more CIDG officers from Region 8 who were eventually reassigned to PHAU over Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency reports of their alleged involvement in illegal activities in Ormoc City. They are Chief Inspector Bernardo Lao, Deputy Chief of CIDG Region 8; SPO1 Alejo Lucero; PO2 Jun Oliva; PO1 Tata Villamor; and PO1 Bobot Castelo.
CIDG chief, Police Director Samuel Pagdilao Jr. was ordered to submit all initial investigation reports to DIDM to speed up the investigation.
