Napolcom suspends 9 Negros cops for 50 days for less grave misconduct
BACOLOD CITY – Nine policemen, including a commissioned officer, in Negros Occidental were suspended recently, following an administrative complaint filed against them for less grave misconduct four years ago.
According to Police Lt. Judesses Catalogo, spokesperson of the Negros Occidental police, eight non-commissioned police officers from the provincial police office, particularly assigned at the Silay City Police Station, were ordered by the National Police Commission (Napolcom) national office suspended with no pay for 50 days from July 16 to September 3.
Catalogo said the complaint was filed in 2019 after which Napolcom issued a resolution in 2021 and issued a suspension order on July 1, 2022.
Catalogo said that upon receiving the order from Napolcom, the eight police officers were relieved from their posts and were transferred to the Regional Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit (RPHAU)-6 in Iloilo City. He, however, did not name them, pending further investigation of their offense.
Their suspension, Catalogo said, will not affect the functions of the remaining personnel in the police station, as the provincial police office will fill in the vacancies. He added they are just waiting for an order regarding the assignment of neophyte policemen to the police station.
Catalogo said the case is not yet final, as the policemen can still file an appeal.
Police Lt. Col. Noel Polines was included in the suspension order as he was the Silay City police chief at that time.
Polines, who is currently assigned at the Planning and Strategic Management Unit of the Bacolod City Police Office, said the administrative case stemmed from their operation against illegal gambling at the Silay City proper in 2019.
He said the original complaint filed against them was grave misconduct but it was later downgraded to less grave misconduct. Thus, they were only suspended for 50 days.
Polines said they have already filed a motion for reconsideration with Napolcom through their legal counsel, after obtaining an advance copy of the order.