METRO Manila police director Camilo Cascolan on Wednesday ordered the relief and the filing of criminal and administrative complaint against the three policemen-brothers who confronted a man in his house over a traffic incident in Caloocan City.
The incident went viral on social media and triggered a public outrage against the three police officers—PO3 Ralph Soriano, assigned at the Northern Police District, and his brothers PO1 Rendel Soriano and PO1 Reniel Soriano, both members of the Drug Enforcement Group based in Camp Crame, Quezon City.
Supt. Chai Madrid, spokesperson of the National Capital Region Police Office, said Cascolan ordered Caloocan City police chief Senior Supt. Restituto Arcangel to relieve the policemen brothers immediately after watching the video.
“The Regional Director [was] also ordered to file charges administratively and criminally…a case for Violation of the Omnibus Election Code (Gun Ban) was already filed before the Prosecutor’s Office of Caloocan City with docket number: 02- INV- 18D- 01287,” said Madrid.
She also said the NCRPO was conducting further investigation on the matter.
Cascolan has directed all district directors and police station commanders in Metro Manila to discipline and relieve their subordinates if found to be corrupt, abusive and remiss in their work.
“Director Cascolan’s priority program in morale and welfare is religiously being implemented but not to compromise as well the discipline and internal cleansing of the ranks and file of NCRPO,” said Madrid.
The video that went viral on Facebook showed that the three brothers, onboard motorcycles and carrying handguns tucked in their waistbands, confronted Ricardo Malaya over a traffic incident.
The Caloocan City police initiated a probe against the police officers who are now facing grave threat, grave oral defamation and alarm and scandal charges.
The brothers were also slapped with the gun ban being imposed by the Commission on Elections in connection with the May 14 village and youth council polls.
Just recently, the NCRPO ordered the relief of all five cops assigned to the Southern Police District Special Operations Unit after they got involved in alleged robbery extortion in Pasay City.
The five policemen—Police Officer (PO) 3 Simon Respicio, PO2 Jimmy Abadines, PO1 Randy Mangubat, PO1 Kervilyn Dugwaye, and PO1 Moli Esmael—were placed under restricted custody at the SPD and were charged with robbery extortion before the Pasay City Prosecutors Office.
Also last February, then NCRPO chief and now PNP director Oscar Albayalde made a surprise inspection in cities of Muntinlupa and Pasay and relieved three police precinct commanders after their men were caught sleeping, drinking liquors and not in proper uniform while on duty.
Albayalde reminded all police personnel to extend their patience in dealing with the public especially that they are in public service.
“I also reiterate that police officers must always showcase discipline and should conduct themselves properly all the times,” Albayalde said.
“Again, we will not tolerate any abuse by any police officer and I extend my gratitude to the public for supporting our internal cleansing program. Additionally, I also ask that you report the good deeds of our police officers so we can give them due recognition,” he added.