Rogue cops warned

COTABATO CITY – National Police Chief General Guillermo Eleazar has warned rogue policemen, especially those involved in criminal activities, following the recent arrest of a cop and four others, including two soldiers in Maguindanao province.

“I am warning all our personnel not to engage in this kind of illegal activity because I will make sure that the full force of the law will be used against you. Bilang mga alagad ng batas, hindi dapat tayo maging bantay-salakay at sa halip ay bantay ng bayan upang mapanatili ang kapayapaan at kaayusan,” Eleazar said.

The suspects were arrested in a string operation launched by the Datu Odin Sinsuat municipal police force following long intelligence surveillance.

“I commend the Chief of Police and the personnel of the Datu Odin Sinsuat Municipal Police Station for their aggressive campaign against loose firearms which led to the arrest of five people, two of them are soldiers and the other one is a PNP personnel,” Eleazar said.

He identified those arrested as Patrolman Eliver Jay Anggot Soberano, reportedly assigned to the Police Regional Crime Laboratory Office in the Muslim autonomous region; Morjan Kunakon Tumindig, Adams Tuminding; and Army Staff Sergeants Gleen Argones Sangyao and Reynaldo Dichosa II, both are reportedly assigned to the 6th Infantry Division – all in Maguindanao province.

They were arrested in the village of Tamontaka in Datu Odin Sinsuat town on October 12. Assorted firearms were seized from the suspected gunrunners and among these were one three automatic rifles, one M4 Carbine rifle, two .45-caliber pistols, three 9mm pistols, and a cellular phone, some P500,000 in cash and identification cards. 

“This (arrest) translates to nine less firearms at the hands of criminal elements who may be tapped to sow violence in the May 2022 elections,” Eleazar said.

He said the Philippine National Police will coordinate with the Armed Forces of the Philippines to strengthen intelligence and cooperation to further intensify the campaign against the illegal trade of weapons.

“Dahil sa insidenteng ito, makikipag-ugnayan ang inyong PNP sa liderato ng Armed Forces of the Philippines upang palakasin ang monitoring at mga operasyon laban sa sinumang magbebenta at bibili ng mga loose firearms, pulis man, sundalo o sinuman ang sangkot dito. Hindi natin hahayaan ang ganitong kalakaran lalo na at may eleksyon tayong dapat protektahan,” Eleazar said.

He said Soberano has been charged criminally and administratively. (Mindanao Examiner)