Ex-cop allegedly in Maute ranks, AWOL since 2014

FILE: Philippine National Police (PNP) logo (PNA Photo)

MANILA, Aug. 7 — The still unnamed police officer from Rizal, who allegedly joined the ranks of Maute Group remnants now being neutralized in Marawi City by government forces, has been AWOL (absent without leave) from the PNP since 2014 and already dropped from the rolls.

This was clarified by PNP head Director General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa in a press briefing Monday in Camp Crame, Quezon City.

The ex-cop’s identity is still being verified after government forces recovered an ID card in one of the Maute Group strongholds earlier in the fighting.

“We would like to make that clear, Number 1, he is no longer a policeman. (As early as) 2014, he went AWOL and his name was dropped from the rolls, and we have no idea on his whereabouts. (And regarding the recovered ID card), it could have been given or taken by someone else. At any rate, our investigation is still ongoing to validate this,” Dela Rosa said in Filipino.

He added that the PNP cannot ascertain on whether the former police officer is indeed in Marawi City fighting for the Maute Group terrorists unless the latter is captured or killed in the battlefield.