Manila precinct chief, 14 others sacked

A precinct commander of the Manila Police District Station 1 and 14 of his men were relieved from their posts yesterday for sleeping on the job, an official said.

Senior Inspector Anthony Co, commander of the Police Community Precinct 1 in Gagalangin, Tondo, was sacked along with Police Officers 3 Nelson Geronimo, Avelino Guibao Jr. and Geronimo Ramo; PO2 Carlito de la Cruz; and PO1s Percival Doroja, Aladin Arguelles, Arnold Regala, Cathlyn Cauan, Joe Ronie Obillo, Romeo Balagtas Jr., Carlo Farmis, Jannette Banatao, Leo Dave Legaspi and Beatriz Danguilan.

National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Director Oscar Albayalde ordered an investigation into reports that the police officers were allegedly coddling drug pushers in their jurisdiction.

Albayalde directed the policemen to report to the NCRPO regional personnel holding and accounting unit while their case is being probed by the regional investigation and detective management division.

“If they are proven guilty of the charges against them, they will face administra- tive cases and dismissal from the police service,” he said.

According to Albayalde, a complainant went to the police precinct last week to ask for help for the recovery of his stolen motorcycle.

Instead of helping the complainant, the policemen gave him the runaround.

Before leaving, the complainant took pictures of four policemen who were sleeping while on duty.

Albayalde said Co and his men would undergo “Balik-Kampo” program for 45 days at the NCRPO headquarters at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig.