By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan | Philippine News Agency
MANILA – The police officer who shot and killed a teenager with special needs during an anti-illegal gambling raid in Valenzuela City has been dismissed from the service, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, said on Tuesday (Oct. 12).
“I have signed the order for the dismissal from the service of PSMS (Police Senior Master Sergeant) Christopher Salcedo for grave misconduct and less grave irregularity in the performance of duty,” Eleazar said in a statement.
Salcedo’s dismissal was based on the review conducted by the Directorate for Personnel and Records Management (DLOD-DPRM) and the Office of the Chief PNP on the recommendation of the Internal Affairs Service on his case.
Being a person with autism spectrum disorder, Eleazar said the victim, 18-year-old Edwin Arnigo, could be unaware of his participation in illegal gambling activity.
“I have taken into consideration several factors that aggravated his offense including violation of the Police Operational Procedure as well as the fact that the teenager was a person with special needs. Arnigo should not have been arrested by Valenzuela City police personnel, particularly Salcedo, the teenager having no involvement with the tupada (illegal cockfight),” the PNP chief added.
Salcedo was administratively charged for the death of Arnigo in an anti-illegal gambling operation conducted by the Valenzuela City Police last May 23.
The National Bureau of Investigation is still conducting a probe for the filing of a criminal complaint against Salcedo.
Eleazar, meanwhile, affirmed the dropping of the administrative cases of grave neglect of duty and less grave neglect of duty against four other Valenzuela City police personnel who took part in the operation.
He said there was no substantive evidence to support their supposed administrative offenses of grave neglect of duty and less grave neglect of duty.
The IAS has earlier recommended a 40-day suspension against Salcedo citing the accidental nature of the fatal shooting and his awards and citations as mitigating factors.
Meanwhile, Eleazar has also ordered an investigation into a police officer who allegedly raped a female motorcycle rider in Pampanga last Oct. 8.
Citing reports reaching his office, Eleazar said Staff Sgt. Robin Mangaga flagged the victim at a checkpoint in Mabalacat town.
The victim admitted to having forgotten her driver’s license but instead of imposing sanctions based on the traffic laws, the policeman took advantage of the situation to sexually abuse her.
According to the victim, her motorcycle was only released by Mangaga after raping her.
She immediately sought the assistance of her co-workers in filing a complaint against Mangaga. (PNA) – bny
