THE National Police Commission (Napolcom) on Monday bared the suspension of 12 police officers pending investigation into their alleged complicity in the disappearance of several cockfighting enthusiasts or sabungeros.
Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police (PNP) disclosed that new possible human remains were retrieved over the weekend at Taal Lake, where bodies of the missing sabungeros were allegedly dumped.
The Napolcom earlier filed charges of grave misconduct, irregularities in the performance of duty, and conduct unbecoming of a police officer against the 12 law enforcers..
Napolcom director for monitoring and investigation service (IMIS) Edman Pares said the administrative complaints were basically founded on the affidavit of whistleblower Julie Patidongan, also known as “Totoy,” and other complainants.
The 12 policemen were also cited as respondents in a summary dismissal case initiated by the Napolcom.
Alongside the skeletal remains, the searchers also recovered personal items, including a jacket, slippers, a necklace, and other belongings.
PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said the human remains will undergo DNA testing and will be cross-matched with the profiles of the missing sabungeros and other reported missing persons.
Under Napolcom rules, preventive suspension may be imposed if there is prima facie evidence to back up the charges, or if there is proof of intimidation, coercion, or tampering of evidence by the respondent.
Napolcom vice chairman and executive officer Rafael Vicente Calinisan said suspension may be imposed if the accusation is serious and the evidence of guilt is strong.
In the same token, suspension may be ordered if there is evidence to show that the respondent resorted to harassment, intimidation, coercion or unduly influencing the complainant or witnesses into withdrawing or retracting their testimonies against the respondent, or tampering with the evidence.
Patidongan maintained that about a dozen policemen were directly involved in the abduction and killing of the missing sabungeros, and received substantial amounts of money from so-called gambling tycoon Charlie “Atong” Ang.
The suspended police officers are all under restrictive custody at the Headquarters Support Service in Camp Crame, Quezon City.
