13 cops sacked for non-appearance in court - PNP

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Tuesday dismissed 13 policemen assigned in Metro Manila whose failure to appear in court hearings resulted in the dismissal of the drug cases where they were witnesses. The following policemen were dismissed from service by PNP chief Director General Jesus Verzosa: * PO3 Joel Sanchez of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD), * PO2 Rommel Bulanon of the QCPD, * PO3 Leonardo Ramos of the QCPD, * PO3 Teresita Reyes of the QCPD, * PO3 Perlito Obligacion of the Southern Police District (SPD), * PO1 Garvin Mendi of the SPD, * PO1 Joseph Tedd Leonor of the SPD, * PO1 Arnel Templa of the SPD, * PO1 Gerald Lagos of the SPD, * PO2 Dennis Adan of the Manila Police District (MPD), * PO2 Noe Abrdo of the MPD, * PO2 Moises Ramos of the MPD, and * PO1 Jay Angeles of the MPD. SPO1 Robert Carino from the SPD was only demoted while PO1 Rommel Macaspac of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) was cleared after proving that he attended the hearing of drug case, which was eventually dismissed due to lack of evidence and not for non-appearance of a witness. The PNP said the dismissal of the 13 cops was part of its efforts to improve its operational strategies in its campaign against illegal drugs. Their non-attendance was recorded from April 13 to 20 this year. The PNP said that in the same period, 20 criminal cases were filed against 23 other policemen for failure to appear in court. Section 91 of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, penalizes any member of law enforcement agencies or any other government official who fails or refuses intentionally or negligently to appear as witness for a court proceeding on a drug case. PNP spokesperson Chief Superintendent Nicanor Bartolome, the criminal cases were separate from the filing of administrative charges against the policemen for serious neglect of duty. Bartolome likewise expressed confidence that "the designated disciplinary authorities can resolve the other pending cases in the soonest possible time." - Sophia Dedace, GMANews.TV