
PAMPANGA Police Provincial Office Director Col. Robin Sarmiento was removed from his post after 10 of his men got involved in alleged “hulidap.”
Police Regional Office 3 Director Brig. Gen. Matthew Baccay ordered the relief of Sarmiento.
Baccay said Sarmiento was relieved of his post after 10 of his police officers got involved in a robbery case filed by 10 “sabungeros” on March 19.
The 10 police officers were identified as Cpl. Resty Delima, 33; Cpl. Jayarr Macaraeg, 36; Msg. Rommel Nool, 37; Pat. Jhusua Fernandez, 27; Pat Bryan Steve Pasquin, 25; Cpl. Alvin Pastorin, 33; Pat, Bjay Sales, 30; Cpl. Norman Lazaga, 34; Pat. Jayson Martinez, 28; and Pat. Jeff Cruz, 25, all assigned at the Pampanga Police Intelligence Unit.
The alleged “hulidap” occurred inside a compound in Bgy. Duat, Bacolor, Pampanga.
According to the complainants, they were conducting cockfighting inside the compound of Alberto Gopez when the police officers barged into the compound and accosted them for illegal “tupada.”
During the arrest, the complainants said the accused police officers divested them of their money amounting to P379,700 in cash and other valuables before they were released.
After learning of the incident, Baccay ordered the relief of all the police officers involved in the incident.
Baccay said the accused policemen’s issued firearms were recalled so they may not be able to intervene in the investigation process.
According to Baccay, Sarmiento was ordered relieved due to the PNP policy of command responsibility.
Sarmiento was replaced by Col. Jonas Amparo, Deputy Regional Director for Operations, as officer-in-charge.
Criminal and administrative cases were filed against the accused policemen.