Napolcom en banc orders dismissal of police couple

By Jennifer P. Rendon

 

The National Police Commission (Napolcom) en banc (sitting as a whole) approved the dismissal of a husband and wife in the PNP service over an administrative case field by their neighbor.

Atty. Joseph Celis, Napolcom-6 regional director, identified the couple as Patrolman Welnie Bagatela and Patrolwoman Ma. Agnes Bagatela.

Celis said four Napolcom regular commissioners, the PNP chief, and Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año (who also sits as Napolcom chairman) concurred with the Napolcom-6’s recommendation to dismiss the Bagatelas from service.

The couple was charged for grave misconduct, grave threats, and unlawful arrest.

Celis said the couple can still appeal the case but the dismissal will take effect.

“They will be given ten days to file for motion for reconsideration or appeal upon receipt of the decision,” he said.

Lieutenant Colonel Joem Malong, PRO-6 spokesperson, said they have yet to receive the copy of the dismissal order.

The Bagatelas are assigned at the PNP Regional Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit (RPHAU) and are on detailed service to the Regional Headquarters Support Unit (RHSU) based at PRO-6 headquarters at Camp Martin Delgado, Iloilo City.

Celis said the case stemmed from the accusation that the couple conspired and confederated in the unlawful arrest of Jina Huelar of Relocation Site in San Isidro, Jaro, Iloilo City in 2016.

As the case is still subject for appeal, he said he could not go through with the details of the case.

But in passing, “basta may away, suya-ay sa hinablos (of the couple),” he said. Hinablos refers to either a nephew or niece.

The couple allegedly took the side of their relative and confronted Huelar.

There were claims that they threatened to shoot or kill Huelar.

“Natural, babaye ka pa, mag-asawa pa ara, ti nerbyuson ka gid lang eh,” Celis said.

The bad blood went on even until 2018 and 2019.

Celis said their case was aggravated by being recidivists in other administrative offenses.

The Napolcom had previously meted them with a 31-day suspension due to same nature of offense.

While they could appeal, “as far as NAPOLCOM-6 is concerned, tapos na kami ya. It was concurred by the approving authority based on our recommendation after due notice and hearing where the parties were given the opportunity to be heard via position papers after the marking and identification of exhibits in administrative proceedings where the parties are required to appear physically,” Celis said.

Meanwhile, PRO-6 said that the couple’s case is not included in the list of police officers dismissed from service.

Brigadier General Rolando Miranda, PRO-6 chief, has vowed to intensify the PNP’s internal cleansing efforts.

From January to December 2020, a total of 130 cases were filed against 193 personnel.

Of the said number, 124 cases involving 186 personnel were resolved.

The resolution led to the dismissal of 21 personnel while six were meted with demotion,

Further, 64 were suspended; 2 were given forfeiture of salary; and 10 were reprimanded.

On the other hand, 82 were exonerated from the complaints filed against them.