2 EPD cops face rob, kidnap raps from couple

MANILA, Philippines–The Eastern Police District (EPD) on Thursday relieved two EPD members of their posts after they were accused of robbery and kidnapping with illegal detention by a Pasig City couple.

The complainants, spouses Mark and Hazel Pablo, alleged that PO3 Arnel Roque and PO1 Rowan Garcia stole P73,000 in cash from their motorcycle parts shop and detained them without charges in June.

Roque was assigned to the EPD’s Criminal Investigation Unit while Garcia reported to the Pasig police. Both were ordered to report Thursday to the district headquarters, where they were disarmed and their badges confiscated on orders from EPD director Chief Supt. Abelardo Villacorta.

Later presented in a press conference, Roque denied the charges, claiming they were all made up and may have stemmed from the animosity between him and another officer under the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) based in Camp Crame, where the complainants had “connections.”

The CIDG member, whom Roque did not identify, earlier asked him to drop charges against a drug offender, a request which he turned down, he said.

Villacorta said the EPD “welcome(s) more people speaking out against abuses allegedly committed by policemen and we are investigating them. We only request that the (complaints) be factual because it would be unfair to our policemen if the charges are fabricated,” Villacorta said.–Jeannette I. Andrade