The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) on Friday said it will fully cooperate with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) over the latter’s filing of kidnapping charges against 11 NCRPO anti-drug operatives and four civilians in connection with the disappearance of four sabungeros (cockfight enthusiasts) in Cavite last year.
“We respect the courses of action being undertaken by the NBI on this matter so long as it is within the bounds of existing laws, policies, rules, and regulations. The NCRPO is open and willing to cooperate in any investigation pertaining to this matter,” said NCRPO chief Brig. Gen. Jonnel Estomo in a statement.
“Rest assured that we will cooperate and will not condone any form of lawlessness committed by our men regardless of rank and designation should it be established following due investigation by competent authorities,” he added.
In a complaint dated Oct. 19, the NBI Task Force Against Illegal Drugs (TFAID) filed a complaint against NCRPO personnel over the disappearance of siblings Gio and Mico Mateo, Garry Matreo Jr. and Ronaldo Anonuevo on April 13, 2021 in Dasmariñas City during an anti-drug police operation.
NCRPO regional drug enforcement unit chief Col. Ryan Orapa; Lt. Jesus Menez; Staff Sgts. Roy Pioquinto and Robert Raz; Cpls. Alric Natividad, Troy Paragas, Ronald Lanaria, Ronald Montibon, Reynaldo Seno, Ruscel Solomon and Christal Rosita; police assets Nicasio and Nicholes Manio, a certain Angelo Atienza, and a certain “Boss Mark” were named respondents in the charges of kidnapping and serious illegal detention as well as violation of the Anti-Enforced or Involuntary Disappearance Act.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) meanwhile said it has deployed 2,174 to secure the highlights of the 43rd Masskara Festival from October 21 to 23 in Bacolod City.
The final batch of augmentation forces, comprising 863 policemen, arrived at the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) headquarters on Thursday.
These included personnel of the Police Regional Office 6 (Western Visayas) in Iloilo City, as well as from the Iloilo, Guimaras, and Negros Occidental police offices.
Aside from the PNP personnel, troops of the Philippine Army, the Philippine Coast Guard, and the Bureau of Fire Protection, as well as force multiplier groups and rescue units are augmenting the security and emergency response operations.
This year’s Masskara Festival, held after a two-year pause due to the pandemic, is themed “Balik Yuhum”, which translates to smile again or bring back the smile, a reference to Bacolod’s tagline as the “City of Smiles.