MANILA – Eleven police officers are facing dismissal for their involvement in the moonlighting racket that was discovered after an incident inside a posh village in Muntinlupa last May.
These include six commissioned officers, including one with the rank of lieutenant colonel, and five non-commissioned officers who were found guilty of grave misconduct, grave dishonesty, and conduct unbecoming of a police officer, according to a news release from the Philippine National Police-Internal Affairs Service (PNP-IAS) on Tuesday.
IAS Inspector General Brigido Dulay said the administrative cases stemmed from a brawl reported by a security guard of the village after residents complained about the disturbance caused by two police officers who were then moonlighting as security escorts for a Chinese national purportedly linked to a Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO).
The two officers, who are members of the elite Special Action Force (SAF), were then apprehended by members of the Ayala Alabang Police Sub-Station 5.
Investigation showed that the SAF officers were not performing official duties with their respective units at the time of the incident and were rendering protective services without the required approval from the Police Security and Protection Group (PSPG), a clear violation of PNP policies.
The probe also showed a conspiracy among certain SAF officials in Zamboanga City to cover up the illegal activities of the policemen in Ayala Alabang, making it appear that the two SAF commandos were physically present at their assigned units —the 52nd Special Action Company Zamboanga and the 55th Special Action Company Zamboanga, respectively— when, in fact, they were not.
“This resolution serves as a stern reminder that no police officer is above the law. The public has the right to expect the highest level of integrity from those sworn to serve and protect the public. Any deviation from this duty will be met with the appropriate disciplinary sanctions,” Dulay added. (PNA)