PNP orders dismissal of cop who led Antipolo drug raid

November 4, 2019

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday said he ordered the dismissal of Police Lieutenant Joven de Guzman who led the controversial drug raid in Antipolo City last May.

“I have ordered the dismissal from police service of Police Lieutenant Joven de Guzman, of Antipolo City Police Station,” said Police Lieutenant General Archie Francisco Gamboa, the PNP officer-in-charge, in a press briefing at Camp Crame.

“De Guzman was initially penalized with subsequent findings of guilt for grave misconduct satisfied all requirements of due process to impose the penalty of dismissal,” he said.

According to Gamboa, de Guzman can still file for a motion for reconsideration as it is part of due process.

He said the investigation was “very swift” because de Guzman did not answer.

“In two notices, he didn’t not respond so we try the case ex-parte which is allowed by procedure and by law… we will give him (a copy of decision and) he has I think 10 or 15 days to answer,” said Gamboa.

De Guzman is also part of the 13 alleged ninja cops in another controversial raid in Pampanga back in 2013.

Also, Gamboa said the police chief of Marantao Police Station was relieved from post as investigation is underway against three cops who were caught in a buy-bust operation last week.

“I have instructed the regional director of BARMM, Police Brigadier General Marne Marcos to initiate summary dismissal proceedings within 15 days against three PNP personnel of Marantao Municipal Police Station,” he said.

The three cops were arrested last October 30 in a joint buy-bust operation conducted in Parang, Maguindanao for alleged pushing illegal drugs from Marantao, Lanao del Sur to Parang, Maguindanao.

“Their immediate superior officer, Police Captain Sainodin Benasing, chief of Police of Marantao Police Station has been relieved from post and will undergo investigation,” said Gamboa.

“I would like to emphasize that the PNP internal cleansing program that we are implementing, will be swift, decisive and uncompromising, especially against personnel involved in illegal drugs,” he added. Ella Dionisio/DMS