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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider DILG affirms decision dismissing controversial police official from PNP

DILG affirms decision dismissing controversial police official from PNP

Published Nov 30, 2023 03:57 am

DILG LOGO (MB FILE PHOTO )

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) junked on Thursday, Nov. 30, the appeal of Police Lt. Col. Mark Julio Abong before the National Police Commission (Napolcom) to junk the decision that dismissed him from the police service. 

DILG Secretary Benjamin “Benhur’’ Abalos Jr. said the recent decision affirmed the findings of the Quezon City People's Law Enforcement Board (QC PLEB)  which found Abong liable for the hit-and-run incident that left a tricycle driver dead in August last year.

“We affirm the assailed decision dated Aug. 24, 2023 and Resolution dated Sept. 22, 2023 of the National Police Commission (Napolcom) Regional Appellate Board National Capital Region (RAB NCR) First Division finding Abong guilty of three administrative charges classified as grave offense warranting a penalty of dismissal from service in the Philippine National Police (PNP),’’ Abalos said in a statement. 

“We find that his appeal is bereft of merit. The evidence points out to his guilt for grave misconduct, grave neglect of duty, and conduct unbecoming of a police officer when he concealed his culpability in the said hit-and-run incident,” he added.

Before the DILG decision was issued, Abong figured in another controversy anew after he was accused of firing his gun twice in front of a bar in Quezon City and at a time when a gun ban is still in effect.

Following the incident in a Quezon City bar, the QC PLEB was surprised that Abong was still in service after its dismissal decision in March this year.

The PNP earlier said that the decision cannot yet be implemented due to the pending appeal by Abong who was assigned to the PNP Legal Service before he was sacked anew over the bar incident. 

In the DILG decision, it stated that Abong maliciously falsified evidence to put the blame on his driver Ronald Centino but ‘substantial and circumstantial evidence is sufficient to refute Abong's alibi and defense of mistaken identity.’

“This includes his admission to the PNP Health Services for treatment of his injuries immediately after the accident and where he was found by attending medical staff to be intoxicated,’’ it added.

Abalos asserted that Abong has been given due process and his exhaustion of administrative remedies stops here, saying ‘he can no longer delay his dismissal from service as recommended by the Quezon City People’s Law Enforcement Board (PLEB) Fourth Division in its Decision dated March 21, 2023. 

Ubos na ang baraha niya at hindi na niya mapapaikot pa ang batas (His cards run out and he can no longer play with the law),’’ he added.

“I, therefore, direct PNP chief, Police Gen. Benjamin C. Acorda, Jr. to immediately issue an implementing order of the dismissal of Abong.  He is a disgrace to his uniform and the police organization as he continues his rogue acts after being arrested for an allegedly unprovoked gun-firing incident outside a bar in Quezon City last Sunday (Nov. 26),’’ Abalos stressed.

“May this serve as a stern warning to all police officers in the country that no one is above the law. Ang sinumang pulis na umaabuso sa kanyang tsapa ay mananagot at walang kawala sa kamay ng batas (Any police officer who abuses his badge will be answerable and cannot escape the hands of the law),’’ Abalos pointed out.

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