MANILA — The Department of Justice (DOJ) has created a task force to handle the criminal charges filed by Philippine National Police- Counter Intelligence Task Force (PNP-CITF) against policemen reported to be involved in illegal activities.
In Department Order No. 697 dated October 25 but was released to media this week, DOJ Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II has designated 14 prosecutors to conduct the preliminary investigation on the cases filed by PNP-CITF.
Senior Deputy State Prosecutor (SDSP) Severino Gana was named chair of the panel. The other members of the task force are Senior Assistant State Prosecutors (SASP) Juan Pedro Navera, Susan Azarcon, Edwin Dayog, Susan Villanueva, Ma. Emilia Victorio and Hazel Decena-Valdez; Assistant State Prosecutors (ASP) Aristotle Reyes, Consuelo Corazon Pazzuiagan, Chulo Palencia Jr; and Assistant Prosecution Attorneys (APA) II Borgy Calugay, APA I Jonathan Paul Dimaano, APAs Joan Carla Garcia and Loverhette Jeffrey Villordon.
According to PNP-CITF, more than 1,000 cops have so far been reported to be involved in illegal activities such as extortion, illegal drug trade, illegal gambling, physical injuries, illegal logging, kidnapping, smuggling, gunrunning as well as amassing unexplained wealth.
The illegal activities of the policemen were tipped off through text messages to the PNP hotlines: 0998-670-2286 and 0995-795-8569. (PNA)
