By Jel Santos
The Mandaluyong City police chief, who was relieved after 10 of his men got involved in the controversial fatal December 28 shooting, was reinstalled by the Philippine National Police.
(Mark Balmores/Manila Bulletin file photo)
National Capital Regional Police Office (NCRPO) ordered Senior Supt. Moises Villaceran Jr. back to his post as Mandaluyong police chief effective January 26.
NCRPO chief Director Oscar Albayale previously ordered the relief of Villaceran and 10 of his men following a botched operation that claimed the lives of Jonalyn Ambaan and Jomar Hayawon.
The 10 police officers are Police Officers 1 Alfred Uribe, Jave Arellano, Tito Danao, Mark Castillo, Julius Libuen, Bryan Nicolas, Albert Buwag, Kim Rufford Tibunsay, PO2 Nel Lemuel Songalia, and the group's team leader, Senior Inspector Maria Cristina S. Vasquez.
Mandaluyong Prosecutor’s office recently charged the policemen with two counts of homicide (P40, 000 bail), and two counts of frustrated homicide (P14, 000 bail). The case was raffled to Regional Trial Court Branch 211.
The nine cops posted surety bond in exchange for their temporary liberty on January 19. They were assisted by policemen of Mandaluyong and the Eastern Police District.
But Vasquez, the leader of the team involved in the shooting ,was not formally charged. Reports said that the Mandaluyong Prosecutor’s Office is still investigating the case .
Vasquez went into hiding, but later turned herself in after PNP Director General Ronald Dela Rosa appealed to her to face the consequences of their actions.
Villaceran, who attended an activity at the Mandaluyong City Hall Monday, said he was only administratively relieved pending investigation on the incident.