THE Internal Affairs Service (IAS) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) said it has recommended the dismissal of 11 police personnel, including five officers, for illegally deploying police as security escorts of a Chinese national involved in illegal gambling operations.
Two members of the Special Action Force (SAF) commandos identified earlier as Cpl. George Rojo Mabuti and Pat. Roger Ramos Valdez were arrested in May after they figured in a fight at the posh Ayala Alabang in Muntinlupa City.
The Investigation later indicated that the two SAF operatives were assigned in Zamboanga City, but were moonlighting as personal bodyguards of a Chinese national linked to a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO).
The dismissal recommendation , however, is still subject to the approval of PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil.
The IAS, tasked to investigate misconduct among police, said on Tuesday it found evidence that there was “a conspiracy among certain SAF officials in Zamboanga City to cover up the illegal activities of the policemen in Ayala Alabang, making it appear that the two SAF cops were present at their assigned units, the 52nd Special Action Company Zamboanga and the 55th Special Action Company Zamboanga, respectively. But this was proven to be untrue.
The IAS said the involved SAF officials, which included the superiors of Mabuti and Valdez, were found guilty of grave misconduct, grave dishonesty, and conduct unbecoming “for attempting to cover up the unauthorized moonlighting activities of their personnel.”
