10 cops axed for illegal arrest of 4 Chinese

Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. —REGIONAL PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE NCRPO OFFICIAL FB PAGE

Ten police officers who were involved in the allegedly unlawful arrest and detention of four Chinese nationals at a condominium in Parañaque City in September last year have been dismissed from the service, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said.

Those ordered fired by NCRPO chief Maj. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. effective Feb. 12 were Lt. Col. Jolet Guevara; Majors Jason Quijana and John Patrick Magsalos; Cpt. Sherwin Limbauan; Executive Master Sgt. Arsenio Valle; Staff Sergeants Roy Pioquinto, Mark Democrito, Danilo Desder Jr. and Christian Corpuz; and Cpl. Rexes Claveria.

Another police officer, Cpl. Nick Palabay Cariaga, was also dismissed, but his discharge took effect on Jan. 31.

The 10 police personnel were found guilty of grave misconduct, grave irregularity in the performance of duty, grave neglect of duty, conduct unbecoming of a police officer, less grave misconduct and less grave neglect of duty, the NCRPO said in a statement.

Based on an investigation, they took, “with intent to gain,” personal belongings worth more than P27 million that were not the subject of a search warrant. The items were then deliberately excluded from the police inventory of recovered evidence. The accused also planted firearms at the scene, unplugged and destroyed a closed circuit TV camera, and intentionally deactivated their body cameras. The NCRPO said that aside from the 10 police officers, seven others were demoted while another 17 were suspended. Two senior police officers, Brig. Gen. Roderick Mariano and Col. Charlie Cabardilla, would also be subjected to administrative disciplinary proceedings.

NCRPO chief’s appeal

“We are exerting all efforts to weed out all erring personnel from our ranks through our invigorated internal cleansing program. Dedicate yourselves to public service and hold yourselves accountable to every action and decision you make especially in the performance of duty,” Nartatez said.

The House of Representatives, upon the request of Antipolo City Rep. Romeo Acop, has been conducting an inquiry into the Parañaque police operation. In a hearing held last month, Acop said that four female Chinese nationals identified as Dang Lina, Hu Yi, Ling Lang Ping and Li Huanhuan were “allegedly unlawfully accosted and arrested” and brought to a room at a Parañaque condominium on Sept. 16, 2023.

While there, they were “detained for several hours without being informed of their alleged offense and Miranda rights, and were deprived of contact with their legal representation,” Acop added.

READ: Dismissal case starts vs 34 cops in illegal detention of 4 Chinese

The lawmaker also disclosed that all four women were transferred to the Southern Police District’s Special Operations Unit office in Taguig City, where they were asked to shell out P2 million each for their release.

Acop said the police officers justified the detention of the Chinese nationals for several days by claiming they were human trafficking victims that had to be placed under protective custody.

In another hearing on Feb. 5, some of the dismissed policemen were cited for contempt by lawmakers, leading to their detention at the House of Representatives.