The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
The Philippine National Police has relieved two active-duty officers from their posts after they were accused of facilitating unauthorized meetings linked to the disappearance of several “sabungeros” or cockfighting enthusiasts.
The officers identified were Highway Patrol Group spokesperson Lt. Nadame Malang and Custodial Center warden Maj. Reynaldo Pañebe Jr., who were alleged to have arranged visits between the families of missing individuals and detained former policemen implicated in the case.
The relief orders took effect on Wednesday, May 20, based on directives from PNP units and an incident report submitted by headquarters support personnel.
HPG director Brig. Gen. Rommel Batangan confirmed Malang’s removal from his post, saying he is now in floating status and has been replaced by Lt. Col. Chitadel Gaoiran as acting spokesperson.
Custodial Center acting chief Brig. Gen. Manuel Abrugena said Pañebe admitted allowing visitors inside the facility but did not disclose their identities.
“According to his explanation to us when we talked to him, there were people who visited our PUPCs (persons under police custody). Now, he did not name them during our conversation with him,” Abrugena said.
He clarified that there is no conclusive evidence yet of unauthorized access inside the detention facility.
PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño emphasized that the relief of the officers is administrative in nature and not an indication of guilt.
“Hindi natin sinasabi na agad guilty ‘yung dalawang personnel natin. Ngunit it’s a matter of SOP (standard operating procedure) or proseso natin (We’re not saying that our two personnel are already guilty. But it’s a matter of SOP),” he said.
“Ang ginagawa natin is immediate relief para hindi makaapekto sa ongoing investigation (What we did was an immediate relief to ensure they would not affect the ongoing investigation),” he added.
Meanwhile, National Police Commission (Napolcom) Vice Chairperson Rafael Vicente Calinisan met with relatives of the missing individuals who formally filed complaints against the officers.
The families alleged that certain police personnel facilitated meetings and received cash amounts ranging from ₱20,000 to ₱40,000, allegedly for transportation and related expenses connected to the encounters.
Napolcom has ordered its investigation unit to probe possible administrative liabilities as the wider case continues to unfold.