Napolcom orders probe into police colonel over abuse, harassment allegations

MANILA — A police colonel is facing an administrative investigation after the National Police Commission (Napolcom) received allegations of abuse of authority, harassment, and other misconduct against him.

The allegations were raised by several complainants from Baliwag, Bulacan, who appeared before the Napolcom on Monday.

Among them was Erika Jane Colle, who claimed that she and her partner, Christopher Bataller, became involved in a dispute with the police colonel’s live-in partner over a vehicle allegedly pawned to their friend for P150,000.

“‘Yung partner ko na si Christopher at ‘yung ate niya, lumapit sa amin para magpatulong na magsanla ng sasakyan tapos ini-refer naman namin siya sa kaibigan namin,” Colle said.

According to Bataller, the vehicle, which he said belonged to the police colonel, was supposed to be redeemed after a month.

However, nearly a year later, the vehicle had allegedly not been redeemed.

“Isang buwan lang ‘yung nasa kasulatan. Ang nangyari, hindi natubos hanggang sa umabot na ng isang taon na ngayon,” Bataller said.

He claimed that after they tried to collect the money, the police’s partner became angry and allegedly threatened them through social media.

He also alleged that their house was later fired upon.

“Nung sinisingil na si Madam, bigla siyang nagalit, nag-live, nagmumura. Tapos, hanggang sa tinambangan na ‘yung pamamahay namin, pinabaril. Balak pa niya sanang ulitin, buti nga naaksyunan agad,” he recalled.

The complainants also presented a video allegedly showing the police colonel physically assaulting his partner.

Napolcom Vice Chairperson and Executive Officer Rafael Calinisan said the video and other documents formed part of the evidence being considered in the administrative investigation.

“Walang duda sa amin na ang mga persons involved sa video na ito [ay ‘yung pulis at kanyang partner]. Itanggi pa nila ang gusto nila itanggi, klarong-klaro ‘yan,” Calinisan said.

“So that’s why, upon that motu-propio investigation, we now come to the IMIS who apparently already conducted their investigations as well,” he added.

The commission also looked into allegations that police personnel were providing security to the colonel’s partner, who is a private citizen.

Napolcom investigators said they identified three police officers allegedly assigned as escorts.

“Hindi naman niya pasweldo mga ‘to, hindi naman niya bodyguard ang mga ‘to. Hindi naman siya official de gobyerno so why our policemen guarding her?” Calinisan said.

He added the commission would pursue cases against police personnel found to have illegally provided security to a private citizen.

The complainants also alleged that the police colonel had been using his position to harass them, including through cases filed in Pasay and Taguig.

Barangay captain Jaynor Reyes, who also appeared before the NAPOLCOM, said residents were allegedly afraid of the police colonel and his partner.

“Unang-una, hindi ko kilala si Erika. Nagpunta siya ng barangay para ipa-blotter [‘yung live-in partner] dahil may utang daw sa kanila. Ang problema, nagalit sa akin at sinabi, inuutusan ko pa raw si Erika,” Reyes said.

“Sa totoo lang, kami lahat ng taga-Baliwag natatakot kay Colonel at kay [partner] dahil hindi maganda ang ginagawa nila,” he said.

Calinisan said the police colonel is undergoing a pre-charge investigation.

However, because of the additional evidence presented, the commission’s special investigator was directed to furnish the officer with the new evidence and give him an opportunity to respond.

The Napolcom is considering charges for grave misconduct, grave abuse of authority or oppression, grave neglect of duty, disgraceful and immoral conduct, and conduct unbecoming of a police officer.

A recommendation was also made to place the police colonel under preventive suspension, pending action by the Napolcom Commission en banc.

Calinisan stressed that the administrative proceedings do not mean the officer has already been found guilty.

He said the commission would evaluate the criminal aspect of the allegations separately, particularly the reported shooting.

The police colonel remains an active member of the Philippine National Police, according to Calinisan.

He also said the Napolcom had recently withheld confirmation of the colonel’s proposed designation to another post, as well as blocked his possible promotion.

“We don’t care about their ranks. What we care about is that the policeman should serve and protect the Filipino people,” Calinisan said.