Citing strong evidence of guilt and the gravity of the charges, the National Police Commission (Napolcom) has ordered the 90-day preventive suspension of 12 policemen, including three officers, who are being linked to the case of missing “sabungeros” (cockfighters).
In four-page resolution signed by Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla and three Napolcom officials, the leadership of the Philippine National Police (PNP) was ordered to implement the order within five days after the receipt of the decision.
The Napolcom resolution was signed on Aug. 4.
“The Commission, after a careful and judicious evaluation of the records and the motion, finds that there exists substantial legal and factual basis to warrant the grant of the Motion for Preventive Suspension,” the order read.
“The gravity of the charges, the preliminary showing of strong evidence of guilt, and the necessity to safeguard the integrity and impartiality of the proceedings collectively justify the imposition of preventive suspension against the Respondents,” it added.
The decision stemmed from the testimony of Julie Patidongan who tagged the policemen as involved in the disappearance and killing of the missing sabungeros.
Patidongan earlier said that the cadavers of some of the missing sabungeros were dumped into the Taal Lake in Batangas.
Several human bones were recovered from the Taal Lake earlier, but police forensics experts were unable to extract DNA samples from them.
Napolcom, however, clarified that the preventive suspension is not tantamount to a finding of culpability on the part of the policemen.
“The imposition of preventive suspension is not a penalty, but a protective and procedural measure intended to preserve the integrity of the investigation, prevent any undue influence or interference in the proceedings, and assure the availability of evidence and witnesses,” the Napolcom resolution read.
Those suspended include officials with a rank of Police Colonel, Police Lieutenant Colonel and Police Major. The nine other cops are mostly police sergeants. (Aaron Recuenco)
