Quezon city: The National Police Commission (Napolcom) has initiated administrative proceedings against several police officers implicated in three distinct cases of grave misconduct.
According to Philippines News Agency, during a press briefing at the Napolcom headquarters, Vice Chairperson and Executive Officer Rafael Calinisan announced that the Inspection, Monitoring, and Investigation Service (IMIS) has filed formal charges against Colonel Rommel Estolano, the former chief of the Highway Patrol Group Special Operations Division. Estolano is accused of accepting PHP7 million in bribes from an arrested suspect, which stems from a June 13 incident in Para±aque City where a suspect known as 'JJ Javier' was apprehended for traffic violations and illegal possession of firearms. Five HPG officers have claimed that Estolano accepted bribes to provide special treatment to Javier while he was detained and to manipulate his case. Estolano, however, has countered, alleging that the arrest was based on a warrant that had been revoked by a Pasay City court in July 2024.
In another case, two Marikina City police officers face charges of grave misconduct and conduct unbecoming of a police officer for allegedly raping a patrolwoman. Calinisan indicated that the IMIS found sufficient cause to press charges, with allegations that the officers, a patrolman and a staff sergeant, picked up the victim on duty on Aug. 17 under the pretense of having coffee, subsequently molesting her inside a police vehicle. The accused officers are currently held at the Eastern Police District Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit and face further charges, including acts of lasciviousness and violations of the Anti-Rape Law (Republic Act 8353).
The third set of charges involves seven officers from the Caloocan City police, accused in connection with the death of Dion Angelo Dela Rosa, a student who died of leptospirosis in July. Endorsed by Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David, the legal complaint accuses these officers of grave misconduct, grave dishonesty, incompetence, oppression, and conduct unbecoming of an officer. The IMIS has forwarded these charges to the Napolcom Legal Affairs Service for further proceedings.
In a related development, a delivery rider, Nicole Owen Solleza, has filed a complaint against 11 personnel from the Manila Police District Drug Enforcement Unit, alleging abduction and fabricated charges. Solleza claims he and another rider, Chester Dumaran, were taken by the officers on Sept. 9 and driven around Rizal province over alleged drug charges. Following preliminary investigations, Solleza was released on Sept. 11. The IMIS has begun a motu proprio investigation into related incidents, with Dumaran also filing a complaint against seven officers for grave misconduct and other irregularities.
The Napolcom is committed to ensuring due process for both parties involved in these proceedings, as stated by Calinisan during a briefing at Camp Crame.
