Six members of the Caloocan City Police’s anti-illegal drugs unit were recommended to be dismissed from service by the Philippine National Police – Internal Affairs Service (PNP-IAS) for allegedly assaulting a sidewalk vendor and robbing his “ayuda” worth P14,000 in March.
In a report Friday, June 3, PNP-IAS chief Alfegar Triambulo said he recommended the dismissal of Corporals Noel Espejo Sison, 33; Rommel Toribio, 29; Ryan Sammy Gomez Mateo, 32; Jake Barcenilla Rosima, 35; Mark Christian Abarca Cabanilla, 31; and Daryl Calija Sablay, 29, who are all members of the Caloocan City Police Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU).
The suspects were found guilty of administrative charges for grave misconduct and conduct unbecoming of a police officer, according to Triambulo. They were also facing a criminal charge for robbery which was filed by the victim, Eddie Yuson, 39.
According to the PNP-IAS’ investigation, Yuson, 39, was walking along Barangay 117, Caloocan City on March 27 to buy food for his family after obtaining cash assistance from the government when he was approached by the suspects.
Yuson was then frisked by the suspects before being allegedly assaulted and robbed of his cash as they boarded a white pick-up truck to escape.
Yuson is a widow and a single parent to four children.
Unfortunately for the suspects, the incident was caught by a closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera. The footage was then uploaded to social media on March 30 and immediately went viral.
The suspects were later identified as members of the Caloocan City Police.
The suspects claimed that Yuson was “suspiciously” roaming around the area where they had just conducted an anti-illegal drug operation so they inspected him. They denied taking his money.
But the PNP-IAS’ investigation proved otherwise.
“They could not explain what was shown in the CCTV footage. They attempted to make a story but it wouldn’t work. is not sufficient to overcome the clear interpretation of the CCTV,” Triambulo said.
“They are unfit to continue in the service as a government official. As a police officer, they should be the one to protect the people and their property but they did the opposite. They maltreated the victim and forcibly took his money. We found enough evidence for them to be dismissed from service,” he added.
Triambulo said the recommendation of the PNP-IAS was already forwarded to the PNP Directorate for Personnel and Records Management – Discipline, Law, and Order Division.
The suspects were held under restrictive custody by the Northern Police District (NPD).