21 cops sacked over Maguindanao massacre

The Maguindanao Massacre crime scene (Photo by Dann Pantoja)

MANILA—The National Police Commission (Napolcom) sacked 21 policemen over their involvement in Maguindanao massacre.

Napolcom found “substantial evidence” that pointed to Datu Andal Ampatuan Jr. as the perpetrator of the worst election-related violence in Philippine history. The agency also recognized that some members of the police forces conspired with Ampatuan in carrying out the crime either by direct action or inaction.

The decision released by Napolcom also ordered the suspension of 11 policemen and exoneration of 21 while complaints against nine others were dismissed due to lack of jurisdiction.

Twenty of the 21 policemen who were dismissed from duty were found guilty of grave misconduct. They were: P/Supt. Abusama Mundas Maguid, P/CInsp. Zukarno Adil Dicay, P/Insp. Rex Ariel Tabao Diongon, P/Insp. Michael Joy Ines Macaraeg, SPO2 Badawi Piang Bakal, SPO1 Eduardo Hermo Ong, PO3 Abibudin Sambuay Abdulgani, PO3 Rasid Tolentino Anton, PO3 Felix Escala Enate Jr., PO3 Hamad Michael Nana, PO2 Saudiar Ubo Ulah, PO2 Saudi Pompong Pasutan, PO1 Herich Manisi Amaba, PO1 Abdullah Samma Baguadatu, PO1 Rainer Tan Ebus, PO1 Esmael Manuel Guialal, PO1 Pia Sulay Kamidon, PO1 Esprilieto Giano Lejarso, PO1 Michael Juanitas Madsig and PO1 Narkou Duloan Mascud.

The 20 policemen were treated as “silent spectators” to the crime. Their inaction is synonymous to the direct action of those who kidnapped and killed the victims in the Maguindanao Massacre, Napolcom said.

The remaining one of the 21, P/Insp. Saudi Matabalao Mokamad, was dismissed from service as he was found guilty of serious neglect of duty and less grave neglect of duty. While the crime was being perpetrated, Mokamad heard several gunshots but dismissed them which resulted to failure to respond to an emergency situation. He also failed to report the incident to his superiors.

Eleven policemen were suspended for 59 days while the complaints filed against the 21 exonerees were dismissed due to lack of evidence that would prove their culpability.

“Although the Napolcom found sufficient evidence to establish the liability of some of the respondents, we were constrained to dismiss the case against them because they either had gone on absence without official leave or had been dropped from the rolls prior to the institution of the administrative complaint on March 10, 2010,” Napolcom Vice Chairman and Executive Officer Eduardo U. Escueta was quoted as saying in a Manila Bulletin report.