PNP probing bosses of 2 ‘moonlighting’ Davao cops

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police is investigating the supervisors of two Davao de Oro police officers who were arrested along with four civilians accused of illegally transporting P290,000 worth of mineral ores in Misamis Oriental.

“Command responsibility is being reviewed,” PNP Chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said in a statement on Wednesday.

“If there were lapses on the part of supervisors, they will also be held accountable. We will not tolerate this kind of activity. We will not let a few rotten apples tarnish the organization,” he added.

The two police personnel—a police senior master sergeant and a police staff sergeant assigned to the Monkayo municipal police—were caught with the four civilians at a checkpoint in Opol, Misamis Oriental, late Monday afternoon.

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Found inside their L300 van were sacks of suspected mineral ores. According to a report from the Police Regional Office Northern Mindanao, “the individuals on board failed to present any pertinent documents to support the transport of the alleged mineral ores, which led to their apprehension.”

All six suspects were placed under the custody of the Opol police for the possible filing of cases against them for violation of Republic Act No. 7942 or the Philippine Mining Act. The two police officers have since been relieved from their posts.

“The fact that they were caught outside their jurisdiction proves they were moonlighting as escorts,” Nartatez said. —JASON SIGALES