PNP To Dismiss 11 Cops For Moonlighting With POGOs

The Internal Affairs Service (IAS) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) has recommended the dismissal of 11 police personnel, including five officers, from the service over allegations of illegally deploying police as security escorts of a Chinese national involved in Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO).

Two members of the PNP’s Special Action Force (SAF), identified as Cpl. George Rojo Mabuti and Patrolman Roger Ramos Valdez, were taken into custody in May following a scuffle at an upscale neighborhood in Ayala Alabang, Muntinlupa City.

The recommendation of dismissal is still subject to the approval of PNP chief Gen. Rommel Marbil, according to a report by the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

The IAS, the PNP unit tasked to investigate misconduct among police, said on October 29 that it found evidence that there was “a conspiracy among certain SAF officials in Zamboanga City to cover up the illegal activities of the policemen in Ayala Alabang.”

“[This makes] it appear that the two SAF commandos were physically present at their assigned units—the 52nd Special Action Company Zamboanga and the 55th Special Action Company Zamboanga, respectively—when, in fact, they were not,” they said.

The IAS said the involved SAF officials, which included the superiors of Mabuti and Valdez, were found guilty of grave misconduct, grave dishonesty and conduct unbecoming “for attempting to cover up the unauthorized moonlighting activities of their personnel.”

Earlier this October, two Special Action Force (SAF) commandos were also dismissed after a public altercation in Muntinlupa City revealed their involvement in private security work for a Chinese POGO executive.

Read related article: PNP Cracks Down on Moonlighting Officers Tied to POGOs