Two cops who tried to bring illegal items inside Bilibid may be put on AWOL

October 24, 2019

The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) on Thursday said two of the 16 cops who allegedly tried to bring in illegal items inside New Bilibid Prison (NBP) may placed under AWOL (absent without leave) status if they fails to report by Friday.

Police Brigadier General Debold Sinas, acting NCRPO director, said 14 of the 16 officers involved are in the Regional Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit while the investigation is ongoing.

“Fourteen of them submitted themselves for investigations and they are now preparing for their affidavit regarding the allegations against them,” Sinas said.

“The two have yet to report,” he added.

Sinas said he immediately relieved the 16 cops for a fair and formal fact finding investigation.

Sinas said the cops involved were not caught bringing inside the NBP but outside while they are doing assembling in formation.

“The cellphones, the two sticks of cigarettes and the liquor was found outside because the practice is before they enter the New Bilibid Building. They are doing accounting first. The cellphones are being taken for deposit… what happened is when they arrived, (other cops) are on formation and done on the accounting so they are waiting (to be accounted),” Sinas said.

“Nothing was brought inside,” he added.

Sinas said officers told them that confiscated cellphones and cigarettes were for their personal use but the one who brought liquor has yet to report.

“So I already traced him to hear his explanation… if they did not report by Friday, they will be considered as AWOL,” he said.

He added the cellphones were already brought to Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) to find out if they have contacts inside the prison.

“Right now, I don’t think so there is a grave offense against them because they did not violate any policy. They are on formation. Maybe what I will check is the one who brought the liquor,” Sinas said.

Sinas said they already informed the director of Southern Police District and Eastern Police District to order their cops to report.

He said he is waiting for the investigator’s recommendation if the cops will face charges.

The acting NCRPO chief also urged the Bureau of Corrections to provide evidence to prove the 16 police officers tried to sneak in contraband.

“I’m asking them to show the evidence on what was found inside because our people said they found it outside… we hear our personnel’s side first but if they had statement also we will get it,” said Sinas.

“I don’t have problem with BuCor. That’s why we are coordinating,” he added.

Though he did not see any offense for now, Sinas said it will still depend on how the investigation’will come out.

He said he did not set any deadline so that his people will not rush the investigation. Ella Dionisio/DMS