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PNP chief orders clampdown vs fake, moonlighting cops

June 9, 2024 Alfred P. Dalizon 462 views

PNPAMID its ongoing crackdown against fake and ‘moonlighting’ motorcycle cops, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief General Rommel Francisco D. Marbil said they will be very tough against police officers and fake policemen escorting moneyed people to evade traffic.

Marbil said they will also be very strict when it comes to people wearing police vests who go against traffic flow to beat the red light while engaged in an ‘escort-for-a-fee’ racket.

“We will put individual markings on our vests including the Highway Patrol Group. ‘Pag walang mark, hindi po tunay na pulis yan kasi madaling bilhin sa labas ang uniforms and other police items that can be used to impersonate a police officer,” the PNP chief told the Journal Group.

His directive against fake cops and officers involved in ‘moonlighting’ activities came after the arrest of four active policemen accused of kidnapping four Asian nationals in Pasay City and quickly earning P2.5 million.

He also ordered a strict accounting of all PNP-issued motorcycles and other mobile assets to prevent them from being used in ‘moonlighting’ and other illegal activities.

Marbil instructed PNP Highway Patrol Group chief Brigadier Gen. Jay R. Cumigad to apprehend motorcycle riders, including those from other traffic law enforcement agencies, known for attaching ‘Pulisya/Pulis’ stickers on their windshields.

He added they are looking into the involvement of “Chinese spotters” who help the syndicate identify potential victims.

“Should there be involvement of Chinese nationals, we would include this in our report so we can come up with a better policy and strategy regarding this matter,” he said.

Meanwhile, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) director Major Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. said they have intensified the implementation of Oplan: FAME (Fake and Moonlighting Escorts) in the wake of the dismantling of the gang of cops-turned-kidnappers in Pasay City.

The official said they are working with the PNP-HPG to recover the vehicles used in the crime in order to establish the suspects’ potential links to past kidnapping-for-ransom cases in the metropolis and facilitate the filing of additional criminal cases against them.

Nartatez said he has ordered a speedy administrative proceedings against the arrested policemen and vowed to dismiss them from the service within three months.

“Ongoing intelligence gathering and case development will continue to identify and apprehend the remaining suspects, including those identified as John Does,” he added.

Nartatez said they have also sought the assistance of the PNP-HPG in recovering the victims’ Lexus Sonic Titanium stolen by the suspects as well as their getaway white van.

He added they are coordinating with the PNP Anti-Kidnapping Group under Brig. Gen. Cosme A. Abrenica about the suspects’ potential connections to past kidnapping incidents.

At the same time, the NCRPO chief said they were engaging with the prosecution service to ensure the successful conviction of the suspects. He also said they have sought cyber warrants to access the cell phone data of the four suspects.

The arrested suspects were identified as Major Christel Carlo Villanueva, 34; Police Senior Master Sgt. Angelito David, 49; Police Staff Sgt. Ralph Tumanguil, 47; and Police MSgt. Ricky Tabora, 46.

PMSgt. David, a member of the Makati City Police Station Motorcycle Unit, and PSSgt. Tumangul, assigned at the NCRPO Regional Logistics Division, were identified as among the abductors of the victims.

Villanueva, a graduate of the PNP Academy assigned at the Pasay City Station, and Tabora, assigned at the NCRPO Regional Headquarters Support Unit were tagged as ‘planners’ of the abduction.

Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. said the arrest proves the PNP, headed by Gen. Marbil, means business in going after rogues in uniform.

He also commended the NCRPO, headed by Nartatez, the Southern Police District led by Brig. Gen. Leon Victor Z. Rosete and the PNP-AKG headed by Brig. Gen. Abrenica for their efforts to dismantle the gang.

All the four accused underwent an inquest proceeding last week before Pasay City Prosecutor Janette Herras-Baggas. They will be facing criminal charges for kidnapping with ransom, robbery and carnapping.

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