Police official tagged in Richard King slay suspended

By: Tetch Torres-Tupas - 9 years ago

Office of the Ombudsman. NOY MORCOSO/INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–The Office of the Ombudsman on Friday ordered the preventive suspension of a police official allegedly involved in the killing of businessman Richard King in Davao City last year.

In a five-page order, Deputy Ombudsman for the Military and Other Law Enforcement Offices Cyril Ramos ordered the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to implement the suspension of Superintendent Leonardo Felonia, a police officer assigned at the PNP Regional Intelligence Unit in Ecoland, Davao City.

Felonia is preventively suspended for six months without pay.

The police officer was identified by gunman Paul Dave Molina Labang and his accomplices Rommel dela Cerna and Rodel dela Cerna as the “mastermind” who plotted the killing of King.

In his order, Ramos stated that “given the power and authority attached to Felonia’s position as head of the Regional Intelligence Unit, there is a strong probability that he may influence witnesses or tamper with any evidence material to the case.”

Felonia is facing administrative charges of grave misconduct and conduct unbecoming a police officer in the Office of the Ombudsman.

Under Section 24 of Republic Act No. 6770 (Ombudsman Act of 1989), the Ombudsman or his deputy may preventively suspend any officer or employee under his authority pending an investigation, if in his judgment the evidence of guilt is strong, and (a) the charge against such officer or employee involves dishonesty, oppression, or grave misconduct or neglect in the performance of duty; (b) the charges would warrant removal from the service; or (c) the respondent’s continued stay in office may prejudice the case filed against him.

The administrative case is separate from the criminal case he is facing.