QUEZON City Police District Director Brig. Gen. Melencio Buslig Jr. and three other policemen were ordered relieved from their posts over a recent incident of harassment and for allowing a detainee to go to a hotel without a court order.
PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil ordered yesterday the relief of Buslig after one of the latter’s men illegally entered a residence and harassed family members.
The erring cop, S/Sgt. Colonel Jordan Marzan, has been arrested and disarmed. He is now facing criminal charges, including violation of domicile and violation of Republic Act 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.
In a statement, the PNP said the administrative relief of Buslig “demonstrates the PNP’s firm stance against abuse of authority and reinforces its commitment to internal accountability.”
“The relief of PBGen Buslig is a firm demonstration of command responsibility and a reminder that accountability does not stop at the individual level — it starts at the top,” the PNP said.
QCPD Deputy Director for Administration Col. Randy Glenn Silvio was designated the acting QCPD director.
Buslig’s relief came a day after Marzan, in civilian clothes and under the influence of liquor, entered a residence in Barangay Damayan, Quezon City.
Marzan, who was looking for one Dimple who is allegedly involved in illegal drugs, threatened to shoot the occupants of the house if they did not surrender the individual he was looking for, said Silvio.
Silvio said Marzan also hit a female resident in the arm during the incident, which was caught on video and has spread on social media.
Silvio said Marzan also illegally entered two other houses in the area.
National Capital Region Police Office Director Maj. Gen. Anthony Aberin said Marzan, of the QCPD-Station 2, was arrested for abuse of authority, illegally entering the residence and hurting a minor.
Aberin said the incident was “alarming” and “unacceptable,” adding the NCRPO will not tolerate the actions of Marzan, who is also facing administrative charges that may lead to his dismissal from the service.
“NCRPO’s policy against police officers who are violating the law is non-negotiable. You will be arrested, charged and removed from the PNP, in accordance with due process of law. There is no second chance for police scalawags,” said Aberin, adding Buslig was relieved for not immediately reporting the incident.
“We relieved the district director because, of course, as I see it, he did not report it to me immediately. I learned about it from the station commander,” said Aberin.
“The station commander called me about the incident and told us of the actions he has taken. We advised him to immediately arrest the suspect, the police officer,” added Aberin.
Aberin said Buslig should have immediately reported the incident to him to address the problem.
“He failed to inform us of those actions so we subjected him to administrative relief,” said Aberin, adding the NCRPO is conducting an investigation to determine if Buslig was remiss in his duties and responsibilities.
Marbil said the actions of Marzan were “not just a case of misconduct” but also a “disgraceful betrayal of the people’s trust.”
“Let this be clear: we will not allow any abusive officer to hide behind the badge. If you harm the people you swore to protect, you will be arrested, prosecuted, and expelled from the service. No second chances. No exceptions,” said Marbil.
“We are drawing a hard line. There is no room in the PNP for predators in uniform. The Filipino people deserve peacekeepers, not perpetrators,” said Marbil.
Marbil said the PNP, under his watch, will rebuild the public faith in the police force “not with promises but with decisive actions.
“We will lead by example. Discipline is non-negotiable. Integrity is mandatory. Public trust is sacred,” said Marbil.
The chief of the QCPD’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit (CIDU) and two of his men were also relieved after a CIDU detainee was allowed to go to a hotel without a court order.
Relieved were CIDU chief Maj. Don Don Lapitan, a jailer, and a desk officer, said Silvio.
Silvio said the QCPD received a report about a female detainee of CIDU who was allowed to go to a hotel last Friday.
Silvio said Lapitan, during questioning, admitted the detainee or person under police custody was indeed allowed to go to the hotel.
“Right now, we are conducting an investigation and we have already ordered the relief of the officers on duty and Maj. Lapitan,” said Silvio.
Citing the results of the initial investigation, Silvio said the detainee, who is facing a case of qualified theft, was escorted by policemen to the hotel to meet with her family.
Silvio said the detainee was brought back to her cell after the meeting.
Police probers are conducting further investigations to determine the identity of the other policemen involved in the irregularity.
