INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
ZAMBOANGA CITY — Four police officers who were involved in a robbery last year were dismissed from the service.
Zamboanga Peninsula Police Director Brig. Gen. Bowenn Joey Masauding said the erring police officers were found guilty of grave misconduct and were removed from the police service effective January 12, 2024.
He identified them as Lt. Ariel Jolatoria, 43, Staff Master Sgt. Al-Najir Ynawat, 41, Staff Sgt. Edcel Nicolas, 42, and Pat. Ryan Apostol, 31.
“The Police Regional Office 9 (PRO 9) upholds its commitment to the highest standards of integrity, morality, and uprightness. Any misconduct or criminal behavior by police officers will not be tolerated, and appropriate disciplinary actions, such as dismissal, will be taken to maintain public trust and ensure accountability,” Masauding said.
The four were charged with armed robbery, carting away some P2.1 million along with several mobile phones from the house of businessman Al-Ghabid Umabong Abdul in Barangay Tetuan last November 14, 2023.
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Based on a blotter of the incident, the four faked a warrant of arrest, supposedly against Abdul’s father, and presented themselves as members of the police’s Regional Special Operations Group.
At the time of the crime, Jolatoria was assigned at the Regional Headquarters Support Unit; Ynawat was a member of the City Mobile Patrol Unit; Apostol a member of the Zamboanga City Mobile Force Company; and Nicolas a duty officer of the Zamboanga City Police Station 7.
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Jolatoria, Ynawat, and Nicolas have been in the police service for 17 years and 7 months, while Apostol served for five years and one month.
Three of them were arrested in different locations in the city while one surrendered in Alicia town, Zamboanga del Sur.
Masauding said the regional police leadership treats allegations of misconduct with the utmost seriousness and is dedicated to upholding the highest standards of integrity and professionalism within its ranks.
“It is important to underscore that this incident does not reflect the vast majority of PRO 9 police personnel, who tirelessly serve and protect the community.”