11 cops in sabungeros case dismissed; ex-CIDG chief recommended for dismissal

The National Police Commission on Friday said that 11 cops in missing sabungeros case have been dismissed from the service after they were found guilty of grave misconduct and conduct unbecoming of a police officer.

NAPOLCOM vice chairperson and executive officer Rafael Vicente Calinisan said the following cops are meted with dismissal from the police service: 

• Police Lieutenant Colonel Ryan Jay Eliab Orapa
• Police Major Mark Philip Simborio Almedilla
• Police Executive Master Sergeant Aaron Ezrah Lagahit Cabillan
• Police Chief Master Sergeant Arturo Opalla Dela Cruz Jr.
• Police Senior Master Sergeant Joey Natanauan Encarnacion
• Police Senior Master Sergeant Mark Anthony Aguilo Manrique
• Police Senior Master Sergeant Anderson Orozco Abary
• Police Staff Sergeant Alfredo Uy Andes
• Police Staff Sergeant Edmon Hernandez Muñoz
• Police Corporal Angel Joseph Ferro Martin
• Police Staff Sergeant Renan Lagrosa Fulgencio

Meanwhile, Calinisan said former Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) chief Police Brigadier General Romeo Macapaz is recommended for dismissal for the same offenses.

Asked why the decision is only “recommendation” for dismissal, Calinisan said, “Kapag ang ranggo po ay police colonel pataas, kailangan po natin ng presidential clearance.”

(When the rank is police colonel and above, we need presidential clearance.)

The NAPOLCOM official explained that Macapaz was found to have unlawfully seized the phones of brothers Julie “Dondon” and Elakim Patidongan, who were linked in the missing sabungeros case and considered as witnesses. 

The ex-CIDG chief also allegedly altered and deleted messages, and caused the loss of SD cards containing crucial evidence related to the missing sabungeros case, according to Calinisan.—AOL, GMA Integrated News