Napolcom to probe police in Bacoor, SJDM over animal welfare complaints

MANILA — The National Police Commission (Napolcom) on Monday said it will investigate police officers from Bacoor City in Cavite and San Jose del Monte City in Bulacan following complaints raised by animal welfare advocates.

Although no formal complaint has been filed, Napolcom Vice Chairperson and Executive Officer Rafael Vicente Calinisan said the commission would conduct a motu proprio investigation based on the information it had received.

Calinisan met with Chris and Geraldine Taylor of the Luna and Furry Siblings Animal Advocacy Group, who raised concerns over statements allegedly made by Lt. Col. Nelson Sardin, chief of the San Jose del Monte City Police.

Sardin allegedly made insinuations against the group, including allegations that it had failed to coordinate with authorities.

“The reports that were made, especially the previous report, was a bit unsettling. And accusations made against us were unfounded and I’m really just angry. I mean, we’ve worked tirelessly. We have been in cooperation,” Mr. Taylor said.

He also explained why he was at the sites where the bodies of dead animals had been dumped.

“To be blunt, if they were investigating, they’d be there too. I mean, what more can I say? To them, they had a year. Three cases, not one. In that year, they had three separate cases. Nobody connected the dots. I even informed them on the first night that it was connected to the May 19th,” Mr. Taylor said.

ABS-CBN News tried to get Sardin’s side on the matter, but he has yet to respond to calls and text messages.

Meanwhile, another complainant, who asked not to be identified, raised concerns over the Bacoor City police following insensitive remarks allegedly made by a police officer about the remains of dogs and cats. The remarks drew criticism from pet owners on social media.

In a viral post, the police officer was quoted as saying: “Anong gusto niyo malaman, kung ang abo ay pusa o dinosaur?” followed by laughter, in response to concerns over the alleged improper disposal of animal remains.

(What do you want to know, whether the ashes are from a cat or a dinosaur?)

“My whole world fell apart because I was treasuring that shrine for two years,” the complainant said in tears.

“The money is not the issue here. I love my dog. My dog, when she was alive, every time we walked, I always put shoes on her because I don’t want her paws to be wet, to walk on soil. Then, they will just throw it out, in the roadside, in abandoned lot, eaten by maggots. That’s very difficult to accept,” she continued.

Calinisan also disclosed that police officers had reportedly been going to the Taylors’ residence and taking photographs.

“’Yong nga taong tumutulong sa atin para ma-reunite ‘yong mga katawan ng ating mga alaga sa kanilang mga amo, sila pa ngayon ‘yong ginigipit, sila pa ‘yong parang binibigyan ng insinuation na may ginagawang kalokohan. Totoo, nakaka-offend,” Calinisan said.

(The very people helping reunite our pets’ remains with their owners are now the ones being harassed and being made to feel as though they are doing something wrong. It is truly offensive.)

“Our pets are not dinosaurs, they are living beings. Mahal natin sila. Dapat tratuhin natin ng respeto ang ating mga alaga, tulad ng pagrespeto natin sa ating kapwa-tao,” he added.

(We love them. We should treat our pets with respect, just as we treat our fellow human beings with respect.)

Calinisan said the complaints could lead to several administrative cases against the police officers.