THE order to dismiss the two policemen involved in the killing of a colleague was already signed by Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief, Police General Guillermo Eleazar.
Police Corporal Sherwin Rebot is guilty of Grave Misconduct (murder), Violation of Presidential Decree 1829 (Obstruction of Justice), Simple Irregularity in the Performance of Duty (loafing), Less Grave Neglect of Duty (drinking while on duty) and Conduct Unbecoming of a Police Officer.
Meanwhile, Police Corporal Harold Mendoza was also found guilty of Less Grave Neglect of Duty (drinking while on duty), Simple Irregularity in the Performance of Duty (loafing) and Conduct Unbecoming of a Police Officer.
Rebot and Mendoza had been tagged in the killing of their colleague at the Police Security and Protection Group, Police Corporal Higinio Wayan. The two initially claimed the victim to have committed suicide.
“Ang pagkakasibak sa serbisyo ng dalawang pulis na ito ay patunay na papanagutin natin ang sinumang pulis na lumabag sa batas,” Eleazar said.
“May this serve as a warning to all police officers that I will not let this kind of incident pass. Dahil lang sa pagsuway sa patakaran na bawal uminom habang naka-duty, humantong ito sa pagpatay ng inyong kabaro,” he added.
“Walang puwang sa PNP ang mga utak kriminal,” PGen. Eleazar stressed.
The initial account of the incident was that the three cops were in a drinking spree when Wayan took Rebot’s gun and shot himself in the chest. Mendoza claimed he was sleeping when it happened while Rebot said he was in the comfort room.
A deeper probe of the incident, however, showed Wayan had not fired a gun as the paraffin test on his body yielded negative results for gunpowder nitrate. A civilian suspect, driver Lorenzo Lapay later admitted during the investigation that Rebot had killed Wayan over an arm wrestling match loss.
Rebot and Mendoza were also slapped with criminal charges. Rebot has been charged for murder and illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, while Mendoza was charged for murder by conspiracy and obstruction of justice.