The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) announced Thursday, Aug. 26, the relief of 17 cops for their alleged negligence in the hit-and-run incident that killed a tricycle driver on Anonas St. in Barangay Quirino, Quezon City last Aug. 6.
The incident involved a black Ford Ranger pick-up truck owned by Lt. Col. Mark Julio Abong and a tricycle driven by Joel Laroa, 53, of Krus na Ligas in the city.
Laroa died while his passenger, Rozelle Morales, 27, a resident of Antipolo City, sustained injuries.
The investigation conducted by the Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) led to the relief of three personnel from Talipapa Police Station, six personnel from Anonas Police Station, and eight personnel from the District Traffic Enforcement Unit (DTEU).
The relieved officers were immediately reassigned to the District Personnel Holding and Accounting Section (DPHAS) effective Aug. 22, 2022.
On Aug. 16, QCPD announced the relief of Abong.
It was followed by the relief of three other officers identified as Lt. Col. Alexander G. Barredo, Cpl. Joan R. Vicente, and Senior Master/ Sgt. Jose R Soriano.
Barredo and Vicente were the occupants of the mobile patrol that responded to the incident while Soriano was the investigator-on-case.
The QCPD said that the relieved cops were the duty officers of the day (OD), shift patrol supervisors (SPS), and station tactical operation center (STOC) personnel of different stations and units concerned during the incident.
They will remain in the DPHAS in Camp Karingal while the investigation is still ongoing.
“We pledge a safe and peaceful community here in Quezon City. There is no room for erring cops here. We have put systems in place, and I am confident that after a thorough investigation, the truth will prevail. I will not allow a mockery of this probe," Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte said.
The QCPD and the People’s Law Enforcement Board (PLEB)-Quezon City also conducted a meeting to discuss the case.
The QCPD said that it will coordinate with the PLEB for the sanctions and penalties against the police officers involved in the incident.
It added that it will immediately impose the penalties once orders were formally received. (Diann Ivy Calucin)
Read more : Kin of hit-and-run victim files charges vs. QCPD official, QCPD relieves police officer involved in hit-and-run