Admin charges filed vs. 15 Caloocan cops who tapped minor to rob house

The Internal Affairs Service of the Philippine National Police has filed administrative charges against 15 Caloocan City policemen in connection with a raid conducted in a house without a search warrant.

IAS Inspector General Alfegar Triambulo said they have found probable cause to file cases against the 14 police officers and their precinct commander and recommend them for summary dismissal proceedings.

“Nai-file na noong September 27 ang charges. May summons na rin na ipinadala sa respondents. Baka next week may pre-hearing na,” Triambulo said in a text message to GMA News Online.

He said after the pre-hearing, the respondents will be given 15 days to submit their position paper and then IAS can resolve the case and submit recommendation to PNP chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa.

He said Chief Inspector Timothy Aniway Jr., commander of the Police Community Precinct 4, was charged with grave neglect of duty and less grave neglect of duty.

On the other hand, three counts of grave misconduct and conduct unbecoming of a police officer were filed against Senior Inspector Warren Tano Peralta, PO1 Ariel Furlo, PO1 Marvin Poblete, PO1 Sherwin Rivera, PO1 Jay Gabata, PO1 Sampang Sampurna II, PO1 Rene Llanto, PO1 Louie Serrano, PO1 Jaypee Talay, PO1 Ronelio Julaton, PO1 Jay-ar Sabangan, PO1 Jaime Natividad, PO1 Michael Angelo Miguel and PO1 Joey Leaban

On September 7, around 9 p.m., Peralta, together with the 13 police officers and two civilians, including a 15-year-old boy, forcibly entered the house of Gina Erobas in Barrio Sta. Rita, Brgy. 188, Tala, Caloocan City without her permission.

They took her belongings including two Swatch wristwatches worth P6,000, a Citizen wristwatch worth P3,000, a cellular phone worth P12,000, and wallet containing P6,000.

The police officers initially claimed that Erobas was a subject of an operation but barangay officials later told IAS investigators that the latter was not involved in any illegal activities in their area.

The Caloocan cops involved also did not serve any search warrant to conduct the police operation, IAS said in its investigation report.

IAS said the police officers also committed another violation when they used a child in the operation.

"As can be seen from the video footage, the policemen tolerated the use of a minor in their operation and illegal activities," their report said.

It added that there is no doubt that the police officers violated the norms of public service.

"Their uncalled acts tarnished the very image and integrity of the whole PNP organization in which the PNP is mandated to serve and protect the people. Also, their acts would indicate a vitiated or corrupt state of moral character which shows their unworthiness to remain in the police service," it said.

Aniway was included in the charge for his failure to take disciplinary action against his subordinates.

“Clearly from the surrounding facts and circumstances, the violations of law committed by his subordinates, under his command, does not absolve him from responsibility," the IAS said.

It added that the failure of Aniway to take necessary feasible measures to prevent and repress the robbery incident makes him liable for neglect of duty.

It said the precinct commander also incurred another administrative liability for his failure to make immediate correction or take appropriate action on the violations committed by his subordinate.

“There is no record or document showing that Aniway made sanctions or appropriate actions or corrective measures relative to the robbery incident,” it said.

The robbery incident was one of the reasons National Capital Region Police Office director Oscar Albayalde relieved the entire Caloocan City Police Station. —KBK, GMA News