Admin case vs 12 cops tagged in 鈥榗onspiracy鈥� dismissed – Napolcom
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MANILA, Philippines — The National Police Commission (Napolcom) dismissed the administrative cases against 12 officers tagged in an alleged cover-up of a 2022 drug case.
This was clarified by Napolcom Vice Chairperson Rico Bernabe at the Kapihan sa Manila Bay on Wednesday, days after Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla claimed that there was a “conspiracy” to conceal crimes within the Philippine National Police (PNP).
“We have 12 police officers whose cases were dismissed,” Bernabe said.
“Based on their individual acts, wala namang (there’s nothing) showing that they had any knowledge of what was transpiring inside the WPD Lending Office or doon sa mga ibang (other) scenes where there were cover-ups.” he added.
Remulla’s comment came after the National Prosecution Service filed cases against 30 police officers for planting of evidence and delay and bungling in the prosecution of a drug case related to the confiscation of over 900 kilos of shabu (crystal meth) worth P6.7 billion.
“Some of the police officers there were merely patrolmen who were securing the perimeter [and] who, after the investigation, had no direct knowledge or participation in the conspiracy to conceal and to distribute the 990 kilograms of shabu,” the Remulla said.
Bernabe detailed that while 30 officers were being prosecuted, administrative cases were leveled by the Napolcom against 56 officers.
“Sa administrative level, multiple yan (In the administrative level, that’s multiple). They have violations of the chain-of-custody rule, misappropriation, malversation, conduct unbecoming of a police officer, anti-graft… grave misconduct,” he explained.
Apart from the 12 officers exonerated from the administrative cases, 21 were dismissed from the service, 16 were demoted in rank and four were suspended for six months, as Bernabe previously expounded during the Palace briefing on Monday.
Meanwhile, the remaining three individuals with administrative cases were presidential appointees and thus subject to confirmation by the Office of the President.
Further, during the Wednesday forum, Bernabe explained the commission had already submitted its report to the Department of Justice (DOJ).
“They already have a resolution and they will be filing the information against 30 police officers,” the Napolcom vice chairperson said.
“But after giving our report to them, they feel that they would have to still continue their case build-up to ensure that all the police officers involved in this case would be prosecuted. So, the figure of 30 might increase,” he added.
