FILE PHOTO: Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte. INQUIRER FILES
MANILA, Philippines — Quezon City Mayor Maria Josefina “Joy” Belmonte expressed support on Thursday over the decision of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to deny the appeal of Police Lt. Col. Mark Julio Abong in relation to his involvement in a 2022 hit-and-run case that killed one and injured another.
“We are grateful to the DILG and to Secretary [Benjamin] Abalos [Jr.] for upholding the decision made by the PLEB. It reflects the firm resolve of the national government to respect the check and balance mechanism against erring policemen, as created by the DILG Act of 1990 and amended by the PNP Reform and Reorganization Act. This decision also proves that the QC PLEB rendered a just and fair decision,” Belmonte said in a release.
READ: DILG affirms dismissal of cop who fired gun outside Quezon City bar
On Wednesday, the DILG affirmed Abong’s dismissal from service following his second appeal on the 2022 hit-and-run incident that led to the death of Joel Larosa, a tricycle driver.
Belmonte also acknowledged the resolution of the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office, saying that there is enough evidence to prosecute him, following a gun-firing incident outside a bar which led to Abong’s arrest.
READ: Cop in QC bar shooting set to post bail — PNP
“Gayundin, malugod nating tinatanggap ang resolusyon ng QC Prosecutor’s office na nagsasabing may sapat na ebidensya para litisin si Abong sa mga kasong kriminal na isinampa sa kanya kaugnay sa panunugod sa isang bar at pagpapaputok ng baril noong November 26,” she added.
(We gratefully accept the resolution of the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office saying that there is enough evidence to prosecute Abong for the criminal cases charged against him in relation to an assault in a bar, and a gun-firing incident on November 26.)
The mayor added that the local government will not condone any abuse of power, especially those in the law enforcement units.
No one is above the law. Hindi natin kukunsintihin kailanman ang anumang pang-aabuso sa kapangyarihan, lalo na ng.mga naatasang magpatupad ng batas.
(No one is above the law. We will not condone any abuse of power, especially with those who are tasked to implement the law.)