2 Ilocos Sur cops face dismissal over murder of 15-year-old girl

Gamboa directed the IAS to finish the dismissal order in 15 days, saying the investigators found “good” number of evidences that would substantially prove that the two PNP personnel were indeed involved in the crime. (PNA file photo)

MANILA – Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Archie Gamboa on Monday ordered the Internal Affairs Service (IAS) to dismiss the two cops tagged in the killing of a 15-year-old girl in Ilocos Sur.

Gamboa directed the IAS to finish the dismissal order in 15 days, saying the investigators found “good” number of evidences that would substantially prove that the two PNP personnel were indeed involved in the crime.

“That’s the thrust I have given since I sat as officer-in-charge that we should be able to dismiss our personnel fast. Sabi ko (I said) dismiss them in 15 days at kapag sinabi ko yun ibig sabihin may tamang ebidensiya (and when I said dismiss, it means there are enough evidence) to dismiss them,” Gamboa said in a press briefing at Camp Crame. “Remember what you need for a degree of proof in any administrative case is only substantial.”

Murder charges were filed against Police Staff Sgts. Randy Ramos and Marawi Torda, both assigned at the San Juan Municipal Police Station, for killing the victim who filed complaint of acts of lasciviousness against one of the two cops.

Gamboa ordered Brig. Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr., regional director of Police Regional Office-1, to provide security to an 18-year-old cousin of the victim and her family, and ensure the availability of all PNP prosecution witnesses in court proceedings to expedite the murder trial simultaneous with summary administrative procedures.

Ramos and Torda are now under restrictive custody at the Ilocos Sur Police Provincial Office in Bantay town while awaiting orders of the court.

Gamboa said he wants the stiffest penalty for the two policemen.

“They are not men in uniform but animals who deserve to be jailed for life,” Gamboa said.

The Cabugao Municipal Police Station filed murder charges against Ramos and Torda before the Provincial Prosecutor of Ilocos Sur on July 2.

Rape charges were also filed against Ramos by the 18-year-old cousin of the slain victim.

Investigation records showed that Ramos and Torda allegedly took advantage of the two girls after the two cops arrested them for violation of curfew and were reportedly appeared to be drunk.

According to reports, Torda sexually assaulted the 15-year-old girl while Ramos allegedly raped the 18-old girl, prompting the 15-year-old victim to file “molestation complaint” against the two cops.

The 15-year-old girl was shot dead on her way home from the police station where she filed the complaint against the two policemen.