11 police officers fired over sabungero case; ex-CIDG chief faces dismissal

The National Police Commission on Friday announced the dismissal of 11 police officers linked to the missing sabungero case after they were found guilty of grave misconduct. The commission also recommended the dismissal of former Criminal Investigation and Detection Group chief Police Brig. Gen. Romeo Macapaz.

According to NAPOLCOM Vice Chairman and Executive Officer Ralph Calinisan, the commission found substantial evidence of grave misconduct, obstruction of justice, and conduct unbecoming of a police officer.

“Napolcom is a strong, independent oversight body of the Philippine National Police, mandated to ensure that police authority is exercised lawfully, responsibly, and with full respect for human rights,” Calinisan stated.

“Where substantial evidence showed abuse of authority, obstruction of justice, and conduct unbecoming of a police officer, the NAPOLCOM imposed the maximum administrative penalties allowed by law,” he added.

In the first case cited by the commission, 11 police officers were found guilty of six counts of grave misconduct and one count of conduct unbecoming of a police officer, and were ordered dismissed from the service.

Those dismissed were Police Lt. Col. Ryan J. Elia Borapa, Police Maj. Mark Philip Cimborio Almedilla, Police Executive Master Sgt. Aaron Ezra Lagahit Cabillan, Police Chief Master Sgt. Arturo Opalla Dela Cruz Jr., Police Senior Master Sgt. Joey Natanawan Encarnacion, Police Senior Master Sgt. Mark Anthony Aguilo Mandrique, Police Senior Master Sgt. Anderson Orozco Abari, Police Staff Sgt. Alfredo Uy Antes, Police Staff Sgt. Edmond Hernandez Muñoz, Police Cpl. Angel Joseph Ferro Martin, and Police Staff Sgt. Renan Lagrosa Colencho.

Aside from dismissal, the officers were also meted penalties including forfeiture of retirement benefits, cancellation of eligibility, and perpetual disqualification from holding public office.

In a separate case, NAPOLCOM recommended to the Office of the President the dismissal of former CIDG chief Macapaz.

According to the commission, Macapaz committed grave misconduct after unlawfully seizing and retaining the cell phones of Ellakim and Jose Patidongan during a Cambodia rescue mission involving whistleblowers in the disappearance of sabungeros.

“He unlawfully seized and retained the cell phones of Ellakim and Jose Patidongan during the Cambodia rescue mission without legal basis,” Calinisan said.

“He altered and deleted messages from the confiscated cell phones and concealed or caused the loss of SD cards, thereby impairing the availability of crucial evidence,” he added.

Calinisan said the officers compromised evidence during the rescue mission, calling the acts a serious abuse of authority and obstruction of justice under Presidential Decree 1829, which qualifies as grave misconduct.

Under the law, Macapaz’s case will be subject to a decision by the Palace, as officers holding the rank of police colonel and higher require presidential clearance. The dismissal of the 11 other officers takes effect immediately.