© The STAR/Edd Gumban Another ‘ninja cop’ dismissed

MANILA, Philippines —The Philippine National Police (PNP) has dismissed from the service another police officer tagged in recycling of seized narcotics.

Lt. Joven de Guzman was ordered sacked by PNP officer-in-charge Lt. Gen. Archie Gamboa based on the recommendation of the Internal Affairs Service (IAS).

De Guzman was among the 13 “ninja cops” allegedly involved in the 2013 drug raid in Mexico, Pampanga where illegal drugs were supposedly recycled.

He was also tagged in an anomalous narcotics operation in Antipolo City on May 4.

Gamboa said De Guzman led a seven-man police team allegedly involved in drug recycling.

De Guzman was found administratively liable for a serious offense of grave misconduct, planting of evidence, robbery and attempted murder by the IAS.

Gamboa said the IAS recommended the dismissal of De Guzman and six other policemen after the police investigating unit found inconsistencies in the drug bust.

“De Guzman connived with his men in consummating the acts that brought shame to the PNP’s reinvigorated campaign against drugs. They all deserved the penalty of dismissal from the police service,” the IAS report read.

The IAS established that the policemen took P66,300 in cash from a victim whom they attempted to pin down for illegal drugs.

Gamboa had ordered the IAS to review the penalty imposed on De Guzman, who was initially suspended for 59 days for a less grave offense of command responsibility.

Six others have been ordered dismissed from the police service. They were M/Sergeants Donald Roque and Rommel Vital; Cpl. Romeo Guerrero; S/Sgt. Stephen Domingo, and Patrolmen Lester Velasco and Eduardo Soriano.

Former PNP chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde was linked to the controversy after he was accused of coddling the police officers.