Cabiao, N. Ecija cops sued for planting evidence

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CRIMINAL and administrative complaints were filed on March 1, 2024 before the Office of the Ombudsman against police officers of the municipality of Cabiao, Nueva Ecija for allegedly planting a hand grenade as evidence to effect the arrest of a private citizen last February 21.

Complainant Noel Montano named Maj. Shariel Paulino, Capt. Sherwin Veloria, Cpl. Arvin Rove Velasco, Cpl. Jorden Talavera, and SSgt. Joy Kristine Villar as respondents and sought their indictment for violation of Section 4(a) of RA 9516 penalizing planting of evidence, a crime punishable by reclusion perpetua.

Additionally, Montano asked the Ombudsman to investigate the police officers for grave misconduct, conduct unbecoming of a police officer, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service and other violations.

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Montano said he was taking care of his ailing mother who was still recovering from a recent surgery when the police arrived at his home in Barangay San Fernando Norte, Cabiao, Nueva Ecija in the afternoon of February 21, 2024.

He said he was informed by team leader Capt. Noel Manalastas that the Gapan City Regional Trial Court had issued a search warrant against him upon the request of the Cabiao Municipal Police Station (MPS) on suspicion that he was keeping high caliber firearms.

Montano said he agreed to the search but requested that the process be witnessed by barangay officials who will join the team in the search.

He said he went to the barangay hall to seek the assistance of two councilors but when they got back to his home, he was informed that another group of police officers have dropped in and left while he was gone.

Still the first police team read the warrant to him and conducted the search joined by the barangay council men where they recovered a hand grenade under the pillow of Montano’s bedridden mother.

He was arrested at once and held overnight in detention at the Cabiao MPS until the case against him was called for inquest proceedings.

Senior Assistant Provincial Prosecutor Susan Apolonio dismissed the allegations on the ground that the grenade supposedly recovered was not among the items listed in the search warrant, hence unusable for the filing of a case against Montano.

The complainant said he included Paulino because he personally overheard him berating his police escort after the case against him was dismissed by the prosecutor.

“The actuations of herein respondents of flagrantly violating the law has eroded people’s trust and confidence in public officials. Respondents… also committed a highly improper act… that tends to undermine people’s faith and confidence in the government,” the complainant added.

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