Arrest of Tayabas police chief, two others show resolve to clean ranks: PNP

April 9, 2019

The Philippine National Police ( PNP) on Tuesday said the arrest of former Tayabas municipal police chief and two others over the death of the son of a Quezon town mayor shows their continuing campaign of removing rogue cops in their ranks.

On Monday, the National Bureau of Investigation- Quezon arrested Police Lt. Col. Mark Laygo, Police Staff Sgt. Roberto Legazpi and Police Cpl. Lonal Sumalpong for a “scripted” police operation against Christian Gayeta, son of Sariaya Mayor Marcelo Gayeta and his companion.

“The arrest of former Tayabas police chief Lt.Col. Mark Joseph Laygo and two others shows the continuing campaign of the PNP to rid its ranks of scalawags and undesirables,” said Police Col. Bernard Banac, PNP spokesperson, in a text message to The Daily Manila Shimbun.

“PNP chief Police General Oscar Albayalde has sternly warned all personnel that we will never tolerate anyone of us who will violate the law and commit illegal acts,” he added.

Laygo and the two other officers who are facing double murder charges were brought to NBI’s headquarters in Manila where they will be detained. Ella Dionisio/DMS