TWO POLICEMEN allegedly involved in the killing of a colleague in Quezon City whom they initially claimed to have committed suicide have been dismissed from the service.
In a statement on Friday, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, Gen. Guillermo Eleazar said Cpl. Sherwin Rebot is guilty of grave misconduct (murder), violation of Presidential Decree 1829 (Obstruction of Justice), and administrative offenses such as simple irregularity in the performance of duty (loafing), less grave neglect of duty (drinking while on duty), and conduct unbecoming of a police officer.
Cpl. Harold Mendoza was also found guilty of less grave neglect of duty (drinking while on duty), simple irregularity in the performance of duty (loafing), and conduct unbecoming of a police officer.
Rebot and Mendoza were tagged in the killing of their colleague at the Police Security and Protection Group, Cpl. Higinio Wayan.
“May this serve as a warning to all police officers that I will not let this kind of incident pass. Dahil lang sa pagsuway sa patakaran na bawal uminom habang naka-duty, humantong ito sa pagpatay ng inyong kabaro (Just because of violating the no drinking while on duty rule, it led to the death of your colleague),” he added.
The initial account of the incident was that the three cops were on a drinking spree when Wayan took Rebot’s gun and shot himself in the chest. Mendoza claimed he was sleeping when it happened while Rebot said he was in the comfort room.
Further probe, however, showed Wayan had not fired a gun as the paraffin test on his body yielded negative results for gunpowder nitrate.
A civilian suspect, driver Lorenzo Lapay later admitted during the investigation that Rebot had killed Wayan over an arm-wrestling match loss. Rebot and Mendoza were also slapped with criminal charges.
Rebot had been charged with murder and illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, while Mendoza was charged with murder by conspiracy and obstruction of justice. (Christopher Lloyd Caliwan)
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