Ex-QC police officer to face trial; Abalos orders his dismissal

P/Lt.Col. Mark Julio Abong, a former Quezon City Police District official, will be facing trial over his latest showing of rowdiness early morning on Sunday, 26 November, at a bar in Quezon City.

This was after the Quezon City Prosecutor's Office had found sufficient evidence to hold for trial for several criminal charges in relation to the said incident.

Abong now faces a series of charges, including Illegal Discharge of Firearms with a bail set at P120,000; violation of B.P. 881 in relation to Comelec Resolution No. 10918 with a bail of P36,000; Maltreatment with a bail of P3,000.00; and Direct Assault upon an Agent of Person in Authority with a bail of P18,000.00.

QCPD Director P/Brig. Gen. Red Maranan said the command remained steadfast in its commitment to maintaining the highest standards of integrity within its ranks which is why they booked and charged their colleague.

"We will not tolerate any misconduct or abuse of power, and we will take decisive action to address any violations of the law. Our priority is to serve and protect the community and continue to execute lawful orders to ensure the maintenance of peace and order in the city," Maranan said.

On the other hand, Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr. said the DILG is affirming the National Police Commission's Resolution dismissing Abong from police service over his involvement in the hit-and-run and drunk driving incident last year.

Abalos said DILG issued on Thursday a Decision denying the Appeal filed by Abong in relation to an incident that happened on 6 August 2022, along Anonas Street, Quezon City that killed tricycle driver Joel Larosa and injured a passenger.

"We affirm the assailed Decision dated August 24, 2023, and Resolution dated September 22, 2023 of the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) Regional Appellate Board National Capital Region (RAB NCR) First Division finding Abong guilty of three administrative charges classified as grave offense warranting a penalty of dismissal from service in the Philippine National Police (PNP)," Abalos said in a statement to the DAILY TRIBUNE.

"We find that his Appeal is bereft of merit. The evidence points out his guilt for grave misconduct, grave neglect of duty, and conduct unbecoming of a police officer when he concealed his culpability in the said hit-and-run incident. Abong maliciously falsified evidence to put the blame on his driver Ronald Centino. However, substantial and circumstantial evidence is sufficient to refute Abong's alibi and defense of mistaken identity," Abalos explained.

He added that this included Abong's admission to the PNP Health Services for treatment of his injuries, immediately after the accident where he was found by attending medical staff to be intoxicated.

"Abong has been given due process and his exhaustion of administrative remedies stops here. He can no longer delay his dismissal from service as recommended by the Quezon City People's Law Enforcement Board (PLEB) Fourth Division in its Decision dated March 21, 2023. Ubos na ang baraha niya at hindi na niya mapapaikot pa ang batas!" Abalos said.

"I, therefore, direct PNP Chief, Police General Benjamin C. Acorda, Jr. to immediately issue an implementing order of the dismissal of Abong. He is a disgrace to his uniform and the police organization as he continues his rogue acts after being arrested for an allegedly unprovoked gun-firing incident outside a bar in Quezon City last Sunday," the fuming Secretary said.

"The DILG does not condone a law enforcer to be the one breaking the law himself. May this serve as a stern warning to all police officers in the country that no one is above the law. Ang sinumang pulis na umaabuso sa kanyang tsapa ay mananagot at walang kawala sa kamay ng batas," Abalos stressed.