Five members of the Philippine National Police–Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) on Friday filed a joint complaint before the National Police Commission (Napolcom) against their superior, Col. Rommel Casanova Estolano, former chief of the HPG–Special Operations Division (SOD) for alleged bribery during a police operation last June.
In a press briefing at the Napolcom headquarters in Quezon City, the five HPG cop—Lt. Adolfo Mendoza, PSMS Aladin Orale, PSMS Ronnie Vergoles, PMSG Krizzia Barola, and Pat. Arnel Fontillas Jr.—accused Estolano of grave misconduct, dishonesty, and conduct unbecoming of a police officer, and sought his immediate dismissal from the service.
Napolcom vice chairperson and executive officer Rafael Vicente Calinisan said due process will be given to Estolano.
“They filed a case against Col. Estolano. Their complaint will be evaluated by their IMIS (Napolcom’s Inspection Monitoring and Investigation Service). After which if there is any progress that needs to be made, Col. Estolano will be evaluated again by IMIS. If they feel that the case should continue, they can file a formal charge with our Legal Affairs Service,” Calinisan said.
On the administrative side, the complainants said Estolano should also be held liable for grave misconduct, dishonesty, dereliction of duty, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service which are grounds for summary dismissal under Napolcom rules.
The complainants also called for immediate and impartial investigation, stressing that Estolano’s removal is necessary “to restore integrity and public trust in the PNP.
The officers alleged that Estolano pocketed at least P7 million in bribes to protect a high-profile detainee and manipulate criminal cases last June.
During the operation, the complainants arrested a wanted man identified as J.J. Javier and his companion in Parañaque City.
The arrest yielded a Glock 19 Gen5 pistol, live ammunition, bulletproof vests, and a C4 explosive device.
Prosecutors later found probable cause to indict Javier for illegal possession of firearms and explosives.
Instead of upholding the case, however, the officers claimed Estolano engaged in “a series of illegal and corrupt acts” designed to shield Javier from prosecution while punishing those who resisted his orders.
On June 13, Mendoza, Orale and Vergoles apprehended JJ Javier and his driver in Parañaque City over the blinker attached to their luxury vehicle and the absence of the tail license plate.
Javier and his companion also failed to show a valid vehicle registration.
“We reached two to three hours, he did not come. I said if you don’t go with me I will arrest you for disobedience of person and agent in authority. I pulled him, he stopped me from taking him to the mobile until I forced him and put him on the mobile then brought him to the office in Crame,” Orale said.
Upon arrival at the HPG office in Camp Crame, Orale said they endorse the matter to Estolo who claimed he was friends with Javier who used to be a big-time sponsor when he was assigned in the Calabarzon police.
“He even scolded me and said who is your CO, when he found out that it was JJ, I said you sir ‘oh why did you operate without my knowledge?’ no sir I said goodbye on my chief mobile I said at that time, Oh ok you said goodbye he said where is JJ, (I said) sir is there in the investigation where the affidavit is being taken then when he went there he took JJ and sent him inside his office,” he added.
Orale said Javier initially refused to open his vehicle but Estolano instructed to break in through the glass window and even threatened to file obstruction of justice against the suspect.
Found in Javier’s vehicle were Glock 19 Gen5 pistol, live ammunition, bulletproof vests, and a C4 explosive device.
Orale said instead of upholding the case, they claimed that Estolano engaged in “a series of illegal and corrupt acts” designed to shield Javier from prosecution while punishing those who resisted his directives.
According to the affidavit, Javier’s lawyer allegedly facilitated three major bribe transactions with Estolano: P2 million “Parañaque bribe” to secure the dismissal of a prior case in Parañaque City; P1 million payoff for privileged treatment, which reportedly allowed Javier to enjoy special favors while in detention, including temporary release; PHP4 million “Quezon City bribe” to weaken complaints for violations of the firearms and explosives laws by suppressing key evidence, particularly the recovered C4 explosive.
The complainants further alleged that Estolano filed retaliatory charges against them after they refused his order to drop the charges against Javier.
They asserted that the acts described constitute bribery, obstruction of justice, malicious prosecution, and violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (RA 3019), as well as the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials (RA 6713).
