PNP chief wants to expedite raps vs 2 moonlighting SAF members, commanders

PNP Chief Rommel Francisco Marbil —screengrab from RTV Malacańang

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Rommel Marbil wanted to expedite the administrative case filed against those involved in two Special Action Force (SAF) personnel’s alleged moonlighting racket for a Chinese national and their dismissal.

In a press briefing on Tuesday, PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said investigations are ongoing to determine who allowed the two personnel to provide their services to a foreign national.

READ: 9 PNP-SAF members sacked over neighborhood disturbance, moonlighting

“They didn’t go to Manila on their own. Someone higher than them knows, and they were allowed to provide security services to the Chinese nationals. The two have more revelations, which the PNP will use to strengthen the cases filed against those who allowed them,” Fajardo revealed.

“Our chief PNP’s instructions are very clear. He wants to expedite the cases against the nine and impose the strictest penalty, dismissal from service,” she added.

The PNP official likewise disclosed that the nine, including the two—Corporal George Rojo Mabuti and Patrolman Roger Ramos Valdez—are facing administrative complaints for “grave irregularity in the performance of duty which is providing security detail to an individual without the express authority from the chief PNP.”

Besides Mabuti and Valdez, others involved were their battalion commanders, company commanders, platoon leaders, and other personnel with direct supervision over them, as earlier revealed by the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO).

According to Fajardo, only the Police Security and Protection Group (PSPG) and not SAF members are authorized to provide security services to anyone.

“Whatever threats the Chinese national may have does not justify the actions of the two SAF members. If there are threats, the case should undergo the proper process; the ones providing their services should be the PSPG. That alone proves that there is a violation,” she stressed.

Although she did not reveal other details, Fajardo also said that logic dictates that the two SAF members were paid for their services.

“I don’t have any info as to the monetary consideration with respect to providing services, but definitely, it was already established that there is,” she disclosed.

Valdez and Mabuti figured in a fistfight in a residential community in Alabang, Muntinlupa City, at around 3:15 p.m. on May 18, based on NCRPO’s report.

Mabuti reportedly fled the scene and sought refuge in one of the homes in the village, causing alarm and panic among the residents before they were arrested by responding officers.