Ombudsman opens probe of PNP officials over misdocumented, missing AK47s

From InterAksyon (Nov 13): Ombudsman opens probe of PNP officials over misdocumented, missing AK47s


The Office of the Ombudsman said on Thursday it has opened an investigation prompted by criminal and administrative complaints filed against ranking officials of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in connection with 1,004 improperly documented high-powered AK47 firearms, some of which have apparently found their way into the hands of the communist New People’s Army (NPA).

In a statement, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales said the investigation is based on the complaints filed against the respondents for 19 counts of falsification of documents, 23 counts of violation of Section 3(e) of Republic Act (R.A.) No. 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act), 23 counts of violation of Section 3(j) of R.A. 3019, and violation of R.A. 5487 (Private Security Agency Law).

Being investigated are PNP Firearms and Explosives Office (PNP-FEO) officials Police Director Gil Meneses, P/Dir. Napoleon Estilles, Chief Supt. Raul Petrasanta, Chief Supt. Tomas Rentoy II, Chief Supt. Regino Catiis, Senior Supt. Eduardo Acierto, Senior Supt. Allan Parreno, Supt. Nelson Bautista, Chief Insp. Ricky Sumalde, Chief Insp. Ricardo Zapata Jr., Chief Insp. Rodrigo Benedicto Sarmiento, Senior Police Officer 1 Eric Tan, SPO1 Randy De Sesto and three non-uniformed personnel.


Also included in the criminal complaint are Isidro Lozada of Caraga Security Agency and representatives of the gun supplier, Twin Pines, Inc.


"Administrative charges for Grave Misconduct and Serious Dishonesty were also filed against the PNP-FEO officials, with a prayer that they be preventively suspended by the Ombudsman pending administrative adjudication," the statement said.

The Office of the Deputy Ombudsman for the Military and Other Law Enforcement Offices (OMB-MOLEO) initiated motu proprio the case build-up based on an article published in the Philippine Star on June 6, 2014.

The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) then issued an Investigation Report dated 17 July 2014 revealing that four private security agencies and a mining company successfully applied for and were issued firearms licenses by PNP-FEO using falsified and incomplete documentary requirements.

Based on the PNP-FEO database, 1,004 licensed firearms were released through the submission of incomplete and/or falsified applications submitted by Isidro Lozada, owner of Caraga Security Agency, who purchased the firearms from Twin Pines, Inc. which, in turn, facilitated and submitted the falsified and/or incomplete license applications of Lozada to the PNP-FEO.

Despite irregularities in the applications, licenses were processed and approved by PNP-FEO officials and personnel.

Documents gathered during field investigation disclosed that Caraga Security Agency’s License to Operate had expired on 30 September 2012.

The CIDG was also able to validate information that firearms matching the serial numbers of the licensed AK47s issued to the security agency and mining company were recovered from encounters between the military and the NPA in the Caraga and Western Mindanao regions.


Morales created today a five-lawyer special panel to conduct the preliminary investigation and administrative adjudication of these cases.


http://www.interaksyon.com/article/99167/ombudsman-opens-probe-of-pnp-officials-over-misdocumented-missing-ak47s