Robredo orders dismissal of cop who blocked Aquino convoy

Interior Secretary Jesse M. Robredo. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo ordered Wednesday the official dismissal from service of Senior Police Officer 2 Ricardo Pascua Sr., who “arrogantly” refused to give way to President Aquino’s convoy last week along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City.

Robredo’s directive to the Philippine National Police chief, Director General Nicanor Bartolome, came after the National Police Commission Office (Napolcom) held a three-hour meeting on Tuesday in Makati City to review all loopholes and adopt new measures in the issuance and implementation of police-dismissal orders.

Citing Napolcom records, DILG said Pascua had been dismissed twice—in June 2001 and December 2002—based on two separate decisions by the People’s Law Enforcement Board in Quezon City for grave misconduct.—Jamie Marie Elona