Acorda wants probe on missing case folders of errant policemen

Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Gen, Benjamin Acorda, Jr. ordered all regional directors to conduct an inventory of all the case folders of erring policemen, following a report that some documents pertaining to the investigation of errant cops went missing at the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO).

Acorda said the report of the missing case folders at the NCRPO was alarming, especially that internal cleansing has been part of the strategic plans and disciplinary measures to professionalize the police organization.

“I am encouraging all other regions to review and check on their system or in their records if there are similar incidents. It’s sad to note that there are some other police officers that are involved in drugs, but what I want to emphasize is we are active in pursuing this internal cleansing and we are not letting up in running after them,” Acorda told reporters in an interview.

Earlier, NCRPO director Maj. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez disclosed that some case folders of erring policemen were found to be missing during the conduct of inventory of case folders to determine and implement pending cases against them.

Nartatez has already ordered an investigation into the matter, focusing on the possibility that the errant cops are in cahoots with some policemen handling administrative matters in the NCRPO.

Following Nartatez’s revelation, Acorda said they were not discounting the possibility that the same anomaly has also happened in other regional offices.

“We are looking into that. We are assuming that there are similar incidents in other regions. Those record holders should be held accountable because documents such as these are important and no document should be missing or even the entire case folders,” said Acorda.

Meanwhile, the PNP said it has procured more than ₱485 million worth of vehicles and firearms to boost its mobility capability, especially in far-flung areas in the provinces.

Acorda said the procurement was sourced from the Capability Enhancement Program for 2023 and that was reinforced by the balances in the 2021 and 2022 funds, adding that it was part of the modernization of the police force, particularly in boosting the police visibility in urban and rural areas across the country.

Among those procured were 3,234 units of 9mm pistol worth ₱61.4 million, night vision equipment worth ₱121 million and all-purpose tactical vest worth P113 million.

For the vehicles, 143 units of single cab patrol jeepneys worth ₱175 million and a total of 16 units of heavy-duty motorcycles were also bought.