NCRPO, ACG chiefs relieved for 10 days amid Manila POGO raid probe

By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan, Philippine News Agency

In a press briefing held at Camp Crame, PNP Information chief and spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said that based on the order from National Headquarters, Hernia and Cariaga were administratively relieved to give way to an impartial investigation by a committee led by Lt. Get. Michael John Dubria, current office-in-charge of the PNP and deputy chief for operations. (File Photo: Philippine News Agency/Facebook)

MANILA – National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Maj. Gen. Sidney Hernia and Philippine National Police-Anti Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) chief Maj. Gen. Ronnie Francis Cariaga are administratively relieved from their post for 10 days starting Thursday in connection with a recent raid of an alleged scam hub in Manila.

In a press briefing held at Camp Crame, PNP Information chief and spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said that based on the order from National Headquarters, Hernia and Cariaga were administratively relieved to give way to an impartial investigation by a committee led by Lt. Get. Michael John Dubria, current office-in-charge of the PNP and deputy chief for operations.

She said Brig. Gen. Reynaldo Tamondong and Col. Vina Guzman would take over the NCRPO and ACG, respectively, as officers-in-charge.

Fajardo said some issues were raised over the Oct. 29 operation conducted by the NCRPO and the ACG at the Century Peak Tower.

These include allegations of extortion and the reported tampering of the CCTV camera by PNP personnel.

Reports said that three PNP-ACG operatives moved and covered the CCTV in a hallway to prevent them from being seen while walking shirtless due to the extreme heat inside the building.

The building’s elevator and air conditioning systems were intentionally turned off, forcing the raiding team to walk all the way to the 23rd floor, where the purported Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub is located.

Fajardo said Cariaga informed her that he had ordered immediate relief for the three PNP-ACG cops from their posts.

“For the record we are not happy doon sa ginawa ng mga pulis natin regardless doon sa sinasabi nila na nainitan sila (with what our police did, regardless of what they said as extreme heat). Any evidence for that matter, whether that is object evidence or gadget evidence, even the CCTV that is very, very, material in terms of the investigation, ay wala ang karapatan ang sino mang police officer na alter po yun (any police officer has no right to alter that),” she said.

“Let me reiterate though na itong (that this) administrative relief of the two senior officers is not a form of punishment. Ginagawa lang natin itong administrative relief to give way doon sa investigation para bigyan linaw itong mga (We are doing the administrative relief to give way to the investigation to clear the) issues that cropped during the police operation,” she said.

Meanwhile, Fajardo assured that the PNP would not succumb to any pressure.

“We owe it to the people because a lot of accusations and allegations were propagated in different fora so the PNP leadership deemed it necessary to subject the former RD NCRPO and director ACG under administrative relief to give way to the investigation,” she said.

Fajardo added that Hernia and Cariaga may be returned to their former positions and assignments if it can be proven that there was no negligence on their part in terms of supervision and making sure that all police operational procedures were followed.

Earlier, Hernia denied the “absurd and unfounded” allegations of extortion hurled against him and 14 other officers.

“I will not tolerate any wrongdoing within our ranks, and I firmly urge the accusers to substantiate their claims in the proper forum. The NCRPO fully welcomes any investigation into this matter, as it will provide a great opportunity to prove the regularity and legality of our actions,” Hernia said in a statement.

Hernia said the NCRPO is prepared to address the allegations in the proper venue.

“I am confident that the investigation will reveal that all procedures followed were lawful and proper. The NCRPO remains steadfast in its mission to combat criminality and protect the public from fraudulent activities. We stand ready to clear our names and reinforce our dedication to integrity and service,” Hernia said.