QC cop in hit-and-run of trike driver sacked, 3 others suspended

The People's Law Enforcement Board (PLEB of Quezon City dismissed a ranking official and three other police officers over a hit-and-run incident that killed a tricycle driver in August last year.

In Mariz Umali’s report on “24 Oras” on Monday, the PLEB convicted former Quezon City Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit (CIDU) chief Police Lieutenant Colonel Mark Julio Abong in relation to the death of victim Joel Laroa.

Abong was found guilty of multiple charges of grave misconduct, grave neglect of duty, and conduct unbecoming of a police officer with the aggravating circumstance of employment of fraudulent means to conceal an offense.

“Overwhelming circumstantial evidence...Wala na kaming iba pang konklusyon kung hindi si Mark Julio Abong ang siyang nakasagasa,” said PLEB chairperson Rafael Calinisan.

(We have overwhelming circumstantial evidence. We have no other conclusion aside from Mark Julio Abong is the driver.)

The case stemmed from a complaint filed by Laroa’s sisters alleging that Abong hit their brother while driving a black Ford Ranger. Instead of helping, the official reportedly fled the scene with the help of fellow police officers Police Colonel Alexander Barredo and Police Corporal Joan Vicente.

A certificate signed by PNP Chief Rodolfo Azurin confirmed Abong was rushed to the PNP Health Service at the night of the incident for wound treatment.  It was also verified he was under the influence of alcohol and was even transported to the health facility by the city police mobile.

The PLEB likewise convicted Barredo and Vicente for neglect of duty after responding to the incident and not arresting Abong.

Police senior master sergeant Jose Soriano was found guilty of grave misconduct for trying to divert the investigation away from the police official.

All three of them were suspended for six months.

GMA Integrated News reached out to the cops but in their earlier defense, they denied the accusations as “malicious” and “baseless”.  Barredo and Vicente said they were based on rumors while Soriano said he had no personal knowledge of the incident.

While they lauded the decision, Laroa’s relatives said criminal cases should be filed against the suspects.

“Ito ay administrative lang po. Ang gusto namin ay makasuhan sila ng criminal kung sino man po ang nasa...dahil ito ay cover up ng mga taga-health services ng PNP, coverup ng station 9, cover up ng Camp Caringal at sa lahat ng kapulisan na sangkot dito,” Arlene Laroa, the victim’s sister, said.

(This is just administrative only. We want to file criminal charges against anyone who is involved. This is a coverup of the PNP health service personnel, of station 9 members, of Camp Carigal, and of all the police officers linked here.)—LDF, GMA Integrated News