The People’s Law Enforcement Board of Quezon City (PLEB) dismissed from police service the former head of Quezon City Police District - Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit (QCPD-CIDU) and suspended three other policemen on Monday, March 27, over the death of a tricycle driver on Aug. 6, 2022.
In a 19-page decision, the city's PLEB dismissed Lt. Col. Mark Julio Abong from the service and meted a six-month suspension on Col. Alexander Barredo, Cpl. Joan Vicente and Senior Master Sgt. Jose Soriano. Nine other police officers were also acquitted.
The charges were filed by Arlene Laroa Buenvenida, Annale Laroa Alba, and Armida Laroa Carbonel, the sisters of tricycle driver Joel Laroa who died in a hit-and-run incident along Anonas St., Quezon City last Aug. 6.
In their complaint filed on Aug. 16 last year, the victim’s sisters claimed that Abong, who was then the head of QC-CIDU, was the driver of the black Ford Ranger pick-up truck (NCG 8456) that hit their brother.
Barredo and Vicente, the responding officers during the incident, were accused of allowing Abong to escape.
The sisters said the responding officers failed to help their brother who bled to death for one hour before he was brought to the hospital.
Soriano, the traffic investigator assigned to handle the case, was also accused of helping the suspect cover up the incident.
The city government said that through the videos presented as evidence during the hearings, Barredo and Vicente were identified as the police officers who attempted to arrest the suspect but did not continue after recognizing that he was Abong.
"However, upon learning that it was Abong who was driving the vehicle, they allowed the latter to escape. They also failed to give aid to Joel who was severely injured," it added.
It also said that Soriano stated in his investigation report that an “unknown driver” was behind the incident. He later replaced it with the name "Ronald Centino" after Atty. Mario Abong II, the brother and lawyer of Abong, told him to do so.
Meanwhile, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte commended the QC-PLEB for its effort in conducting an in-depth investigation into the incident.
She also expressed her appreciation to Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Rodolfo Azurin Jr. for his assistance in the PLEB's investigation.
“We are grateful to CPNP Gen. Azurin for extending help to the PLEB in their investigation. This shows the integrity of his word and sincere intention in cleaning the ranks of the PNP,” Belmonte said.
Atty. Rafael Calinisan, executive officer of the PLEB, also thanked the PNP members for their contribution during the course of the investigation.
“Dapat maintindihan ng ating kapulisan na hindi kaaway ang PLEB, patas ang ating proseso at ang layunin nito ay malaman ang totoo at makamit ang hustisya para sa lahat (Our police must understand that the PLEB is not an enemy, our process is fair and its purpose is to know the truth and achieve justice for all),” he added.