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MANILA, Philippines — Thirteen police officers from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-National Capital Region (CIDG-NCR), including its chief, were sacked from their positions due to corruption allegations, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Thursday.
According to PNP spokesperson Police Col. Jean Fajardo, CIDG-NCR chief Police Col. Hansel Marantan was relieved from his post to give way to the authorities investigation into the questionable raid the group conducted in Manila.
“Nung makarating po ang police operatives sa area natyempuhan nila itong 13 individuals in the act, that prompted [authorities] to arrest them,” Fajardo said in a media briefing.
(Police operatives caught the 13 individuals in the act, which led to their arrest.)
“With regard to Col. Hansel, he voluntarily offered na i-relieve na po muna siya pansamantala sa kanyang posisyon to [avoid] insinuation that he might influence yung gagawin investigation na gagawin sa kanyang tauhan,” she added.
(Marantan offered a courtesy resignation to avoid insinuations that he might influence the police investigation on his staff.)
She added that reports on the operation’s irregularities led CIDG director Brig. Gen. Romeo Caramat to relieve the involved police personnel from the group’s NCR unit.
Fajardo did not specify the operation’s irregularities but said the PNP is already investigating the case.
In response to the incident, the PNP has already conducted a pre-charge investigation to determine the 13 police personnel’s criminal liability and possible administrative culpability.
They are currently under the holding and administrative unit of the CIDG for pending investigation.
Meanwhile, Fajardo ensured the public that the police’s internal cleansing efforts would continue and those involved be punished accordingly.
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