SEVENTY-TWO Quezon City policemen were relieved from their posts Monday because of their alleged involvement in illegal drugs.
Quezon City Police District (QCPD) Senior Supt. Guillermo Eleazar said the policemen come from different stations and units. Some were members of Anti-Illegal Drugs Units.
“We will subject them to investigation and validation to make sure that the ongoing change we effected will be to the maximum, to attain the change expected by all of us, so that the people of Quezon City will feel more secure about their police,” Eleazar said in a news briefing.
He said 69 of the police officers were reported to have “alleged involvement in illegal drugs.”
“There is an Inspector and Chief Inspectors who were also included in the list, along with junior police officers with the ranks of PO1, PO2s and SPO3s and 4.
The list included three operatives from Police Station 1 (PS-1), two from PS-2 (Masambong), 12 from PS-3 (Sangandaan), six from PS-4 (Novaliches), four from PS-5 (Fairview), two from PS-7 (Cubao), five from PS- 8 (Libis), 13 from PS-9 (Anonas), ten from PS-10 (Kamuning), three from PS-11 (Galas), eight from PS-12, one from ANCAR (Anti-Carnapping).
Three of the police officers are facing charges of violation of R.A. 9745 (Anti- Torture Act), theft and arbitrary detention; three have pending cases of robbery, extortion, illegal arrest, arbitrary detention, perjury and planting of evidence.
Eleazar said the relieved policemen will be reassigned to the District Headquarters Support Unit (DHSU) in Camp Karingal, Quezon City.
Last month, the QCPD also relieved 53 anti-drug personnel but 17 were cleared from involvement in illegal drugs and were returned to their posts.
Eleazar said the 69 police officers will be investigated.
“We assure the people of QC, as well as our President and PNP chief, that those found guilty will be dismissed from service. We will file appropriate charges and dismissal proceedings immediately. For those that will be cleared of any illegal drug involvement or any anomaly, they will undergo a WE C.A.R.E.(Character Assessment Review and Evaluation) Program to reshape attitudes towards service to the people, patriotism, before they are reassigned to other units,” he added.