Dead cop from Davao Region on Duterte list

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – A cop who died 6 years ago and another officer dismissed from service are among the 5 policemen from the Davao Region included in President Rodrigo Duterte’s list of those allegedly linked to drugs.

In a statement on Monday, August 8, Police Regional Office (PRO) 11 spokesperson Chief Superintendent Andrea dela Cerna clarified that PO3 Filomeno Soroño died due to cardiac arrest in 2010 in Mati City, Davao Oriental.

Duterte’s list had included a certain “PO3 Filomeno Toronia” from the Digos City Police Station.

PO3 Jessie Balabag, meanwhile, was dismissed from service on August 3, 2015 due to “serious neglect of duty.” Dela Cerna said police are still searching for Balabag and they appeal to the public to report any information regarding his whereabouts.

As for the 3 other police officers named by Duterte, Dela Cerna said one of them, Senior Inspector Martin Plaza, is already under restrictive custody and has been relieved from his post.

“His locker/office was searched but [it] turned [up] negative. Lifestyle check is ongoing,” Dela Cerna added.

The two others, who are from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), have been ordered by their chief to report to the Manila headquarters on Monday.

Dela Cerna added that the regional office, following orders from Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa, is hunting down cops involved in illegal drugs.

“Internal cleansing in PRO 11 continues. All other information received are still being validated,” she said.

“The PNP does not and will never condone any member of the organization who violates the law and gets involved in illegal activities. Those who are guilty are strongly urged to change or surrender.” (READ: PNP chief to top cops linked to drugs: ‘Face the music’) – Rappler.com