Nueva Vizcaya cops face raps over ‘planted’ evidence

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has filed charges against six police officers from the Nueva Vizcaya provincial police for allegedly planting evidence.

NBI director Jaime Santiago identified the officers as Maj. Santy C. Ventura, Sgt. Odra Noel R. Afalla, Cpl. Jeff Lloyd N. Apangchan, Cpl. Randy T. Agdeppa, Officer John Michael C. Tangilan and Officer Frederick Mariano.

The case stemmed from the acquittal of Freddie Mallari, who was previously accused of a crime based on fabricated evidence.

Evidence gathered by the NBI and findings from Regional Trial Court Branch 37 revealed that firearms seized during a search warrant operation on 25 May 2024, were fabricated.

The court described one item as nothing more than a “metal scrap.” In its judgment dated 28 April, the court not only cleared Mallari of all charges but also condemned the officers’ conduct as a clear violation of his constitutional rights.

Based on the court’s findings and the NBI’s independent investigation, charges were filed on 29 July with the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor of Nueva Vizcaya.

The charges include violating the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act for planting evidence, along with provisions of the Revised Penal Code and other special laws addressing abuse of authority and obstruction of justice.

Santiago commended the NBI for solving the case, stating that “abuse of authority by wrongly incriminating a person through fabrication of false evidence has no place in the law enforcement.”