2 ACTIVE-DUTY COPS ARRESTED FOR RAPE, DOMESTIC ABUSE CHARGES

TWO policemen facing rape and domestic abuse charges  on Saturday were arrested by operatives of the Philippine National Police Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group (PNP-IMEG) in separate operations in Quezon City and Davao del Norte.

The arrests were part of the Philippine National Police’s (PNP’s) stepped-up effort to account for misfits and scalawags in the police service.

Based on a report to PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr., the first suspect was arrested inside a hotel on Don Alejandro A. Roces Avenue in Bgy. Paligsahan in Quezon City.

The suspect, a Police Staff Sergeant assigned with the Police Security and Protection Group, was placed under arrest on the strength of a warrant for rape issued by a Taguig City Regional Trial Court, with no bail recommended.

The arrested cop was brought to the PNP-IMEG headquarters for documentation and processing prior to his turnover to the court for issuance of official jail commitment order.

The second suspect, a Patrolman assigned at the Police Regional Office 11, was arrested by PNP-IMEG operatives in Sto. Tomas, Davao del Norte.

The arrest was based on a warrant for violation of Republic Act 9262 or the Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act of 2004 issued by a local Family Court.

The PNP-IMEG officers were assisted by operatives from the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, the Regional Intelligence Unit and the PRO11 in arresting the accused.

Following the arrest of the two active-duty cops Nartatez. has ordered a stricter crackdown against erring members of the PNP.

“Let these simultaneous arrests serve as a stern warning that our badge and our uniform will never be a shield against the law, and the Philippine National Police will aggressively hunt down anyone within our ranks who believes they can evade accountability,” Nartatez said in a statement on Sunday.

Nartatez also directed the filing of administrative charges against the involved PNP personnel in accordance with PNP rules and regulations.