MANILA -- Rogue cops would face the same fate as ordinary criminals.
Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Oscar Albayalde made this remarks on Wednesday, following the death of a Taguig policeman and the arrest of three other cops for alleged involvement in organized kidnap-for-ransom activities.
"Just as we are relentless and chilling in our war on drugs, we will also be relentless, resolute and chilling in our internal cleansing program. Relentless not only in punishing erring cops but also in plugging loopholes in our systems and procedures that may breed recalcitrant behavior in our ranks," Albayalde said, during the awarding of outstanding police officers at the National Police National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) headquarters in Taguig City.
"We will also be resolute in our strong desire to achieve an organizational culture where professionalism and integrity pervade and endure at all times and in all circumstances. And finally, it will be absolutely chilling, and sometimes may even be deadly, against those who will continue to insist in their crooked ways," the PNP chief added.
Albayalde underscored that the need to engage outlaw policemen is unavoidable "rather than betray the public trust and to turn our backs on our solemn oath."
In a report to the NCRPO, Southern Police District (SPD) director Chief Supt. Tomas C. Apolinario Jr. said PO1 Gerardo Ancheta was neutralized during the operation at around 3:30 a.m. Tuesday.
Ancheta and the three arrested active policemen -- PO1 Bryan Amir Bajoof, PO1 Paolo Ocampo and the leader of the group, PO2 Joey Maru -- are assigned at the Police Community Precinct (PCP) 1 in Western Bicutan, Taguig City.
NCRPO director Chief Supt. Guillermo Eleazar has ordered the immediate relief of all 39 officers of PCP 1 to prevent a cover-up.
Apolinario reported that operatives of the Police Station Drug Enforcement Unit (SDEU) and Special Operation Unit (SOU), following a complaint of one Ronielyn Caraecle, conducted the entrapment operation on Tandem Street, Arca South, Western Bicutan, Taguig that resulted in an armed encounter.
Caraecle claimed that four armed men forcibly entered their house at Viscara Street, New Lower Bicutan, Taguig shortly after midnight Tuesday and forcibly took her PHP7,000 in cash, two gold watches, and Louis Vuitton wallets.
She and her boyfriend were then abducted by the armed group and were driven around Arca South, after which, they were asked to cough up PHP50,000 in exchange for their liberty.
The victim's relative, however, was only able to produce PHP20,000 and after they handed over the said amount to the said armed group, Ronielyn was released to produce the remaining PHP30,000 while her boyfriend remained in the custody of the group to ensure that she will return.
She then went to the police and an entrapment was made that resulted in the neutralization of the group.
Initial investigation also revealed that this is the second illegal operation of the said group. The first activity happened at 8:30 p.m. Monday when they entered the residence of victim Moreen del Castillo at MLQ Street, Purok 2, New Lower Bicutan and took her PHP50,000.
Recovered items at the crime scene were four pistols with magazines, two extra magazines, PHP10,600 in cash; one gold watch; three cellphones and illegal drug paraphernalia. Two sachets of suspected shabu were also recovered from the body of Ancheta. (PNA)
