PNP administratively relieves 11 cops in San Jose del Monte alleged kidnapping with murder

August 14, 2020

The chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) ordered the administrative relief and restrictive custody of the 11 police personnel of San Jose Del Monte City station named respondents in a case for kidnapping with murder filed before the Department of Justice (DOJ).

Police General Archie Gamboa instructed Brigadier General Rhodel Sermonia, Central Luzon police chief, to place the 11 policemen under restrictive custody to ensure their availability to face investigation.

Gamboa also ordered administrative relief to preclude the possibility of exerting undue influence in the ongoing investigation by the DOJ Prosecution Service and the internal investigation by the PNP.

Named respondents in the information filed by National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) before the National Prosecution Service for the alleged kidnapping with murder were City Drug Enforcement Unit (CDEU) chief, Police Major Leo Commendador dela Rosa, and his subordinates Police Staff Sergeants Benjie Enconado, Jayson Legaspi, Irwin Yuson, Edmund Catubay Jr.; Police Corporals Jay Leoncio, Herbert Hernandez, Raymond Bayan, Raul Malgapo; and Patrolmen Erwin Sabido and Rusco Madla.

Gamboa said the actions of the indicted policemen are their own and are not sanctioned by any official orders, policy, or regulation.

“I will not tolerate any wrongdoing in the service. Those accused must be made to answer for their criminal acts. In the meantime, it is best that they are relieved from duty to eliminate any suspicion of whitewash or coddling.”, Gamboa said.

Gamboa assured the full cooperation and support of the PNP to the NBI.

According to the NBI, thepolice officers were allegedly involved in allegedly detaining six men and killing two in an illegal buy-bust operation.

Their investigations showed that on February 13, the cops took the victims without legal basis and brought them to the police station where they were reportedly blindfolded and hogtied inside the Intelligence Office instead of undergoing booking.

Gamboa said the indictment and preliminary investigation proceedings guarantee the right of the respondents to due process. Ella Dionisio/DMS