21 cops in Maguindanao massacre sacked

THE NATIONAL Police Commission (Napolcom) has sacked 21 police officers, including the provincial police director and his deputy at the time,   for being “co-conspirators” in the gruesome Maguindanao massacre six years ago.

In a 23-page decision, the Napolcom also suspended 11 police officers and exonerated 20 others. The Napolcom also dismissed charges against nine who had been dropped from the rolls even before the administrative complaint was filed in 2010, and one who had died while in detention.

The 21 officers were dismissed for failing to stop the son of Maguindanao political warlord Andal Ampatuan Sr. and his bodyguards from shooting 58 people, including 32 journalists in Maguindanao on Nov. 23, 2009. All but one of the officers were found guilty of grave misconduct.

The victims’ lawyers Harry Roque, Romel Bagares and Gilbert Andres welcomed the dismissal of the police officers.   “This is the very first time since the massacre six years ago that the victims have received some form of justice,” they said.

All the accused police officers are currently detained at the Quezon City jail annex in Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig, facing multiple murder charges before a Quezon City regional trial court.

The police officers, most of whom were members of the 1508th provincial mobile group under then Supt. Abusama Mundas Maguid, were accused as “co-conspirators” for setting up a checkpoint and for blocking the convoy of the victims who were on their way to Shariff Aguak to file the certificate of candidacy of Vice Mayor Esmael Toto Mangudadatu, who was running against a member of the influential Ampatuan clan.

Ampatuans’ orders

It was at this checkpoint that the victims were abducted and later shot to death by armed men believed to be acting on the orders of the Ampatuans.

In its decision, the Napolcom saw “substantial evidence” that “some of the respondent police officers are culpable for being co-conspirators with Datu Andal [Ampatuan] Jr. and his men, either by their direct action or inaction.”

“All of the members of the 1508th Provincial Mobile Group chose to become silent spectators to a crime unfolding before their eyes. Their inaction manifests complicity and unity of action to those who committed the abduction, and later, the murders,” the Napolcom said.

Grave misconduct

Dismissed from the Philippine National Police for grave misconduct were Maguid, his deputy director Chief Insp. Zukarno Adil Dicay, Insp. Rex Ariel Tabao Diongon, Insp. Michael Joy Ines Macaraeg, SPO2 Badawi Piang Bakal, SPO1 Edurdo Hermo Ong, PO3 Rashid Tolentino Anton, PO3 Felix Escala Enate, PO3 Abidudin Sambuay Abdulgani, PO3 Hamad Michael Nana, PO2 Saudiar Ubo Ulah, PO2 Saudi Pompong Pasutan, PO1 Herich Manisi Amaba, PO1 Michael Juanitas Madsig, PO1 Abdullah Samma Baguadatu, PO1 Pia Sulay Kamidon, PO1 Esperileto Giano Lejarso, PO1 Esmael Manuel Guialal, PO1 Narkou Duloan Mascu and P01 Rainer Tan Ebus.

Dismissed for serious neglect of duty was Insp. Saudi Matabalo Mokamad, head of the police team who also set up a checkpoint four kilometers away from the crime scene.

Suspended for 59 days were SPO1 Alik Mluk Solano, PO2 Kendatu Salem Rakim, PO1 Benedick Tentiao Alfonso, PO1 Abdurahman Said Batarasa, PO1 Marjul Tarulan Julkadi, PO1 Datu Jerry Mluk Utto, PO1 Mohamad Karim Balading, PO1 Marsman Eging Nilong, PO1 Abdulmanan Lumbabo Saavedra, PO3 Felix Abado Daquilos, and PO1 Jimmy Mlah Kadtong.

Absolved

Absolved were Supt. Bahnarin Unas Kamaong, Supt. Abdulwahid Unas Pedtucasan, Senior Insp. Abdulgapor Benasing Abad, SP02 George Sermonia Labayan, SP02 Samad Usman Maguindra, SPO1 Oscar Dariua Donato, SPO1 Elizer Sarad Rendaje, SPO1 Alimola Guinaton Langalen, PO3 Gibrael Rojas Alano, PO3 Ricky Duya Balanueco, PO2 Rexson Diocolano Guiama, PO1 Amir Maliwanang Solaiman, PO1 Badjun Ibad Panegas, PO2 Sandy Diloyodin Sabang, PO1 Johann Mansal Draper, PO1 Tamano Sahibal Hadi , PO1 Ebara Guiamalon Bebot, PO1 Pendatun Ambang Dima, PO1 Michael Macapeges Macarongon and PO1 Abdulbayan Usman Mundas.

Charges against PO1 Hernanie Saulong Decipulo Jr. had been dropped because he died while in detention.

Seventeen of the accused police officers were allowed to post bail last year, but none were able to meet the P11.6 million bail bond for 58 counts of murder.

The brutal massacre, one of the world’s deadliest attacks against media workers, saw some shot in their genitals before they were buried in a hilltop grave using an excavator. With AFP report