HPG senior official accused of P7-M bribery, case-fixing scheme — NAPOLCOM

A senior police official of the Highway Patrol Group (HPG) is now facing a complaint for allegedly receiving P7 million in bribes to protect a high-profile detainee and manipulate criminal cases, the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) said Friday.

In a statement, the NAPOLCOM identified the implicated police officer as HPG Special Operations Division chief Police Colonel Rommel Casanova Estolano.

The joint complaint was filed before the Commission by five HPG officers, who accused Estolano of grave misconduct, dishonesty and conduct unbecoming of a police officer. They sought his immediate dismissal from the service.

GMA News Online has requested comment from the HPG about the matter but it has yet to provide a statement as of posting time. GMA News Online is still requesting the HPG for a contact to Estolano to get his side but the police unit has yet to give one as of posting time.

HPG spokesperson Police Lieutenant Nadame Malang told GMA News Online that Estolano is no longer part of their group after he was reassigned. 

Further, GMA News Online has also requested NAPOLCOM to provide the contact details of Estolano's lawyer.

The complaint stemmed from an anti-carnapping and patrol operation conducted on June 13 across Metro Manila and Calabarzon. The complainants arrested a wanted man and his companion in Parañaque City, according to the NAPOLCOM.

The arrest yielded a Glock 19 Gen5 pistol, live ammunition, bulletproof vests, and a C4 explosive device. Prosecutors later found probable cause to indict the wanted man for illegal possession of firearms and explosives.

"Instead of upholding the case, however, the officers claimed Estolano engaged in 'a series of illegal and corrupt acts' designed to shield [the wanted man] from prosecution while punishing those who resisted his directives," the NAPOLCOM said.

Based on the complainants' affidavit, a lawyer of the wanted man allegedly facilitated three major bribe transactions with Estolano:

• P2-million "Parañaque bribe" to secure the dismissal of a prior case in Parañaque City
• P1-million payoff for privileged treatment, which reportedly allowed the wanted man to enjoy special favors while in detention, including temporary release
• P4-million "Quezon City bribe" to weaken complaints for violations of the firearms and explosives laws by suppressing key evidence, particularly the recovered C4 explosive
• According to the complainants, Estolano also allegedly filed retaliatory charges against them after they refused his order to drop the wanted man's cases.

They said Estolano's acts constitute bribery, obstruction of justice, malicious prosecution, and violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act as well as the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials.

On the administrative side, they said Estolano should also be held liable for grave misconduct, dishonesty, dereliction of duty, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service, which are grounds for summary dismissal under NAPOLCOM rules.

The complainants called on authorities to launch an immediate and impartial investigation. — VDV, GMA Integrated News