Napolcom suspends 12 cops in missing ‘sabungeros’ case
Twelve police officers linked to the case of missing “sabungeros” or cockfight enthusiasts have been ordered suspended for 90 days to ensure the safety of witnesses and preserve the integrity of the investigation, the National Police Commission (Napolcom) said on Monday.
Napolcom Vice Chair and Executive Officer Rafael Calinisan told reporters that the commission en banc found existing “substantial legal and factual basis to warrant the grant of the motion for preventive suspension” filed by whistleblower Julie “Dondon” Patidongan (alias Totoy).
“The gravity of the charges, the preliminary showing of strong evidence of guilt, and the necessity to safeguard the integrity and impartiality of the proceedings collectively justify the imposition of preventive suspension against the respondents,” Calinisan said, quoting the resolutions of the Napolcom en banc.
Ordered placed under preventive suspension for 90 days were Lt. Col. Ryan Jay Eliab Orapa; Maj. Mark Philip Simborio Almedilla; Executive Master Sgt. Aaron Ezrah Lagahit Cabillan; Chief Master Sgt. Arturo Opalla Dela Cruz Jr.; Senior Master Sergeants Joey Natanauan Encarnacion, Mark Anthony Aguilo Manrique and Anderson Orozco Abary; Staff Sergeants Alfredo Uy Andes, Edmon Hernandez Muñoz and Renan Lagrosa Fulgencio; and Cpl. Angel Joseph Ferro Martin.
The 11 law enforcers face administrative complaints for six counts of grave misconduct and conduct unbecoming of a police officer.
Also suspended was Col. Jacinto Malinao Jr., who, aside from the administrative complaints of grave misconduct and conduct unbecoming of a police officer, is facing a third complaint for grave neglect of duty.
All 12 police officers are now with the Philippine National Police Headquarters Support Service.
Allegations
In his complaint, Patidongan alleged that Malinao and the other police officers were behind the killing of the missing sabungeros who were abducted and strangled before their bodies were dumped in Taal Lake, Batangas.
He also claimed the police officers had acted on the orders of businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang, leading to relatives of the victims filing a complaint for multiple murder and serious illegal detention against them before the Department of Justice last week.
The allegations of Patidongan prompted the Napolcom to launch a motu proprio investigation into the matter.
More items recovered
“Possible human remains,” along with clothes, shoes and slippers, have been recovered from Taal Lake as authorities search for the missing sabungeros.
Philippine National Police spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said on Monday the recovered items will undergo cross-matching tests with the DNA samples collected from the relatives of victims.
She also sought help from the public, saying they can go to the nearest police station if they recognize any of the items found in the lake.
“They may be able to recall that these items of clothing like hoodie, hat and slippers were what their relatives were wearing before they went missing,” Fajardo said.
