Beleaguered ex-SPD director leaves fate to PNP chief
FORMER Southern Police District director, Brigadier General Roderick D. Mariano yesterday said he’s leaving his fate at the hands of Philippine National Police chief, General Rommel Francisco D. Marbil who has the last say on the recommendation by the PNP Internal Affairs Service to dismiss him in the aftermath of a controversial raid on a POGO establishment in Parañaque City in September 2023.
“I will leave it to the wisdom of the Chief PNP,” the official told the Journal Group when asked what will be his next move after the PNP-IAS recommended to Gen. Marbil his dismissal from the service after finding him guilty of gross neglect of duty under the principle of command responsibility.
Mariano also maintained his innocence of the charges hurled against him, and said that he did all the necessary things he needed to do particularly the investigation of his men who were accused of committing high irregularities during the September 2023 raid.
CABRADILLA NOT INCLUDED
A Journal Group insider inadvertently included the name of former SPD comptroller, Colonel Charlie Cabradilla as a 2nd official also recommended for dismissal by the PNP-IAS headed by Inspector General Brigido J. Dulay.
For the record, the PNP-IAS only recommended the dismissal of Brig. Gen. Mariano to Gen. Marbil. The name of Col. Cabradilla was not mentioned by the PNP-IAS in its statement on Friday and the Journal Group would like to correct the report.
“This decision underscores the PNP’s unwavering commitment to accountability and integrity within its ranks,” the PNP-IAS head said.
Mariano and Cabradilla last February denied the charges against them during a series of hearings conducted by the House Committee on Public Order and Safety led by Antipolo City Representative Romeo M. Acop.
Former National Capital Region Police Office director and now PNP Deputy Chief for Administration, Major Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. last February also ordered the dismissal of 10 other SPD personnel from the service for their involvement in the alleged unlawful arrest, arbitrary detention, and robbery of four Chinese nationals during the operation.
Ordered dismissed from the police force effective last February 12 by Maj. Gen. Nartatez were Lt. Colonel Jolet Guevara, Majors Jason Quijana and John Patrick Magsalos, Capt. Sherwin Limbauan, Executive M/Sgt. Arsenio Valle, Corporal Rexes Claveria, and Staff Sergeants Roy Pioquinto, Mark Democrito, Danilo Desder and Christian Corpuz.
The PNP-IAS said that the administrative case stemmed from a controversial raid on a condominium in Pasay City during which personnel of the Southern Police District served a search warrant for violation of Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulations Act of 2013 against one of their targets.
The SPD reported that 10 Chinese and a Filipino were arrested during the operation which likewise led to the rescue of several Chinese nationals and the confiscation of P4.6 million in cash.
However, the NCRPO investigation said there were alleged irregularities in the service of the search warrants after the arrested Chinese nationals complained about being arbitrarily detained.
