Marbil sacks 11 SAF officers for misconduct in moonlighting case

Philippine National Police chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil —PNP FB PAGE

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Gen. Rommel Marbil ordered the immediate dismissal of 11 Special Action Force (SAF) officers for grave misconduct related to a moonlighting case.

This came after the recommendation of the PNP Internal Affairs Service (IAS) for supposedly covering up for two Zamboanga-based SAF members who were serving as private security for a Chinese national without proper authorization.

READ: PNP recommends dismissal of 11 cops for alleged moonlighting cover-up

The case stemmed from a May 2024 fistfight in a residential village in Muntinlupa City between the two SAF members.

READ: Police nab 2 moonlighting SAF members following a fistfight

In a statement to the press on Friday, Nov. 15, PNP said the IAS investigation found that the battalion commander and executive senior police officer deployed the two personnel to moonlight as private security.

Two more battalion officers falsified daily reports to make it appear that the moonlighting SAF members were present on duty.

All in all, one lieutenant colonel, three captains, two lieutenants, one executive master sergeant, two senior master sergeants, and two corporals were summarily dismissed from the force.

They were found guilty of grave misconduct, dishonesty, grave irregularity in performing their duties, and conduct unbecoming of a police officer.

Additionally, one captain was found guilty of simple neglect of duty and less grave neglect of duty. He was suspended for 31 days.

Meanwhile, one captain, chief master sergeant and one corporal were exonerated from the case due to insufficient evidence linking them to the scheme.

At a press briefing at Camp Crame on Friday, Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo, PNP spokesperson, said the dismissed officers “have every right to exhaust legal remedies” but added that the order was a “summary dismissal proceeding” due to the gravity of the allegations.

In a statement, Marbil said, “Let it be clear that the Philippine National Police does not and will not tolerate any form of misconduct or dishonesty within its ranks.”

“This is a message to all PNP personnel: We are here to serve the people with integrity, and we will continue to cleanse the ranks of those who undermine the trust placed in us,” he added.

READ: PNP chief warns moonlighting cops

Marbil previously warned police officers engaging in moonlighting that they would be dismissed from PNP service if proven guilty of misconduct.