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Eleazar orders dismissal of cop for gunrunning

By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan

September 9, 2021, 2:42 pm

<p><strong>NABBED.</strong> Police officers arrest eight persons involved in gunrunning and illegal sale of motor vehicles in separate operations on Sept. 3 and 4, 2021. PNP chief, Gen. Guillermo Eleazar on Thursday (Sept. 9, 2021) has ordered the immediate dismissal of Staff Sgt. Michael Salinas, one of the suspects. <em>(Photo courtesy of NCRPO)</em></p>

NABBED. Police officers arrest eight persons involved in gunrunning and illegal sale of motor vehicles in separate operations on Sept. 3 and 4, 2021. PNP chief, Gen. Guillermo Eleazar on Thursday (Sept. 9, 2021) has ordered the immediate dismissal of Staff Sgt. Michael Salinas, one of the suspects. (Photo courtesy of NCRPO)

MANILA – Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar on Thursday ordered the Internal Affairs Service (IAS) to expedite summary dismissal proceedings against a policeman who was arrested for gunrunning and illegal sale of motor vehicles.

In a statement, Eleazar identified the erring cop as Staff Sgt. Michael Salinas, assigned at the Manila Police District, who was among the eight people arrested in separate operations on Sept. 3 and 4.

“I have already directed the Internal Affairs Service to initiate summary dismissal proceedings against him,” Eleazar said.

National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) director Maj. Gen. Vicente Danao Jr. earlier said Salinas could be the leader of the group.

On Sept. 3, authorities recovered a Mitsubishi Expander without a plate number and fake documents from suspects Arman Estanol and Jon Marvin Toledo in an operation in Bacoor City, Cavite at around 5 p.m.

A few hours later, Salinas and suspects Edwin Justo, Bern Bryan Pingol, and Arnold Aron Miranda were arrested in an operation at a gasoline station in Parañaque City. Recovered from them were various firearms such as a sub machinegun, a Glock 19 9-mm pistol, a Glock 17 9-mm pistol, and various ammunition.

A follow-up operation on Sept. 4 resulted in the arrest of two other suspects--Enrique de Guzman and Fernando de Guzman. They yielded two vehicles without a plate number and other falsified documents.

Since July 2016, more than 5,000 policemen were already dismissed from the service for various grave offenses that include involvement in illegal drugs and other criminal activities. (PNA)

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