PNP: Two cops relieved from posts over alleged interference in missing sabungeros case

Two police officers were relieved from their posts amid the investigation into their alleged meddling in the case of missing sabungeros, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Thursday.

The relieved police officers were identified as Highway Patrol Group (HPG) spokesperson Police Lieutenant Nadame Malang and PNP Custodial Center’s Police Major Reynaldo Pañebe Jr.

“Si Police Lieutenant Malang, ang aming [public information officer] sa HPG ay, bilang utos ng ating Chief PNP, na-relieve na po. At assigned po siya sa headquarters namin sa floating status, effective kahapon,” HPG chief Police Brigadier General Rommel Batangan said at a press briefing.

(Police Lieutenant Malang, our public information officer in HPG has, as ordered by our Chief PNP, been relieved from his post. And he was assigned to our headquarters in floating status, effective yesterday.)

For his part, Headquarters Support Service (HSS) chief Police Brigadier Manuel Abrugena said, “Agad po natin, under the direction of the Chief PNP, na ini-relieve si Major Pañebe.”

(We immediately, under the direction of the Chief PNP, relieved Major Pañebe from his post.)

Batangan said Malang only wanted to help the private individuals who sought his assistance. He said Malang claimed he only assisted them in entering the police headquarters compound.

Meanwhile, according to Abrugena, Pañebe claimed that he was not aware that the visitors at the PNP custodial facility were families of the missing sabungeros.

On Wednesday, some complainants in the missing sabungeros case filed administrative complaints before the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) against the two cops over alleged interference.

The complainants said the two police officers facilitated and assisted their visit to the accused in the missing sabungeros case in the Camp Crame facility.

They also claimed that several original complainants withdrew from the case after allegedly receiving P40,000 monthly financial support in exchange for backing out of the complaint.

GMA News Online has sought comment from Malang and the PNP Headquarters Support Service for Pañebe about the matter. They have yet to respond as of posting time. — RSJ, GMA News