CALIBO
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The
National Police Commission (Napolcom) will start hearings
this week on administrative complaints filed against
four operatives of the Traffic Management Group (TMG).
P/Insp.
Doroteo Tolentino, PO3 Jason Calimba, PO2 Edwin Santos
and PO2 Eddie Maruhom, all elements of the TMG regional
office, face possible dismissal from service after the
Napolcom-7 found prima facie evidence and "serious
breach of procedure" on their seizure of 8 vehicles
here that were purportedly carnapped.
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Napolcom-7
director Atty. Bernardo Calibo said a hearing officer from
the commission's regional office will be sent here to conduct
the hearings.
A
pre-charge evaluation was already conducted by Napolcom-7,
Calibo told the Chronicle yesterday.
The
administrative charges were filed by Handel Sarabosing and
Isidoro Manalo, residents of Dauis town, who owns two of alleged
stolen cars seized by the TMG.
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Both
complainants also lodged separate lawsuits against the
policemen for carnapping that is now pending at the
provincial prosecutors office.
According
to Calibo, the Napolcom hearings will proceed independently
from the case filed in court.
Napolcom
will be holding the hearings here, Calibo bared, to
"make it convenient for the complainants".
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Calibo
said there were other vehicle owners who manifested to file
similar complaints against the TMG operatives but find it
costly if the hearings will be done in Cebu City.
"Only
two have formally filed charges against the policemen,"
Calibo said, "but we want to encourage the other victims
to coordinate with each other to strengthen the case against
the TMG men."
He
said the accused TMG operatives should also be present during
the hearings here.
Calibo
said that if the four TMG operatives will be found guilty
after the hearings, the ruling will be elevated to the Napolcom
en banc who will finally decide the penalty to be imposed.
Napolcom-7
intervened on the seizure of "hot cars" here after
the vehicle owners and the public questioned the procedure
of the TMG operatives.
The
policemen likewise shipped four of the vehicles to their regional
office in Cebu City, including those owned by Sarabosing and
Manalo, without informing its owners.
During
the pre-charge evaluation, it was also found that the TMG
operatives did not possess an "Alarm Sheet" that
should have been their basis of identifying stolen vehicles,
Calibo bared.
"The
'Alarm Sheet' should always be in the possession of the policemen"
who are conducting its operation to recover carnapped vehicles.
Without
an "Alarm Sheet" the TMG could not apprehend or
seize vehicles, the Napolcom regional director said.
Moreover,
a masterlist of stolen vehicles must also be provided to the
Land Transportation Office and the local PNP crime laboratory
to counter-check cars that undergo with their verification
process during registration.
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