The National Police Commission (Napolcom) announced on Friday that 11 police officers linked to the missing sabungeros case were dismissed from the service after they were found guilty of grave misconduct, while one high ranking officer will have his fate decided by Malacañang.

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.

“The 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 said.

“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 said.

In the first case highlighted by the commissioner, 11 police officers were dismissed on six counts of grave misconduct and one count of conduct unbecoming a police officer.

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

Aside from dismissal, the officers faced other penalties, including forfeiture of their retirement benefits, loss of eligibility, and perpetual disqualification from holding public office.

Misconduct alleged

Meanwhile, in the second case, the Napolcom recommended to the Office of the President the dismissal of former CIDG Chief Police Brig. Gen. Romeo Macapaz.

Macapaz reportedly committed grave misconduct when he seized the cellphones of Ellakim and Jose Patidognan during a rescue mission in Cambodia of the whistleblowers following the disappearance of the 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.

The commissioner said the officers compromised the evidence during the rescue mission and cited it as a severe abuse of authority and obstruction of justice under PD 1829, which qualifies as grave misconduct.