PNP chief notes violation in protocol for transporting 2 Ozamis gang leaders

PNP Director General Alan Purisima. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—The chief of the Philippine National Police Chief on Wednesday said he has noted a violation by police escorts in the protocol for transporting the two Ozamiz gang leaders.

“The order is for them to turnover to the Bureau of Corrections. Is there a difference? There was,” Director General Alan Purisima said when asked if he thinks there had been a violation committed by police escorts when Ricky Cadavero a.k.a “Kambal” and Wilfredo Panogalinga a.k.a “Kulot” of the Ozamis gang were killed Monday.

The police did not bring the pair to the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa but brought the two instead to the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office in Dasmariñas, Cavite for inquest proceedings.

Cadavero and Panogalinga were killed by their police escorts after their alleged fellow gang members supposedly ambushed the police convoy.

Following his order for an independent investigation on the circumstances surrounding the incident, the PNP chief relieved 14 police officers, of which include Superintendent Danilo Mendoza, head of the Regional Special Operations Group, and 10 non-commission officers.

He said the officers are now on a floating status pending the investigation that will determine their possible administrative or criminal liabilities.

“If the findings will show that they are liable, we will not hesitate to dismiss them all from the service,” Purisima said.