PNP OIC Gamboa orders cops in Antipolo raid probed, four of them involved in Pampanga drug ops

The Philippine National Philippine National Police (PNP) officer-in-charge has ordered a probe into the police officers involved in a controversial buy-bust operation in Antipolo City, PNP spokesperson Police Brigadier General Bernard Banac said on Thursday.

Four of the police officers in the Antipolo raid last May 4, reportedly marred by irregularities, were also involved in the controversial drug raid in Pampanga in November 2013, according to the Internal Affairs Service (IAS).

“Sa ngayon, ‘yun din ang pinapaaral na ni officer-in-charge Police Lieutenant General Archie Francisco Gamboa at inaalam na nga kung saan ito nadelay at kung talaga bang nakarating ito sa office of the chief PNP mula noong ito ay isinumite ng Internal Affairs Service,” Banac told reporters in Camp Crame.

“Inaalam pa natin ‘yung status talaga,” he said.

The four police officers were identified as:

• Police Lieutenant Joven De Guzman

• Police Master Sergeant Donald Roque

• Police Master Sergeant Rommel Vital

• Police Corporal Romeo Encarnacion Guerrero Jr.

IAS Inspector General Alfegar Triambulo had recommended for a dismissal of the four officers but was not sure if the office of former PNP chief Oscar Albayalde acted on it.

In a resolution dated October 10, Triambulo wanted the four officers dismissed from service. Three other policemen were also recommended for dismissal in the resolution:

• Police Staff Sergeant Stephen Domingo

• Patrolman Lester Velasco

• Patrolman Eduardo Soriano II

"All above-named respondents are collectively found guilty of several counts of grave misconduct, less grave neglect of duty and conduct unbecoming of a police officer and are thus meted the maximum penalty of dismissal from the police service,” the resolution read.

In a separate radio interview, Gamboa vowed to scrutinize the case of these policemen.

“Rest assured sa publiko na wala itong bias and papahanap ko ngayon ‘yung kaso kung nasaan na ...” Gamboa said. —VDS, GMA News