The Philippine National Police has ordered a thorough investigation into alleged “secret meetings” between relatives of missing sabungeros and dismissed police officers linked to the disappearance case.
PNP chief Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said authorities are determining whether other police personnel may have facilitated the meetings following the relief of two officers who were earlier the subject of complaints before the National Police Commission.
“Any action outside of what the PNP should do is not only a betrayal of our mandate but also of the trust and confidence of the people we serve,” Nartatez said in a statement.
He stressed the importance of integrity and professionalism within the police force, urging personnel to let their “moral compass” guide their actions.
While acknowledging that meetings between concerned parties may occur, Nartatez said police involvement in matters already under court proceedings is a serious issue that requires scrutiny.
The Napolcom earlier flagged the alleged participation of two police officers in facilitating meetings between victims’ families and dismissed officers implicated in the case.
On Thursday, the PNP identified the relieved officers as former Highway Patrol Group spokesperson Lt. Nadame Malang and former Custodial Center warden Maj. Reynaldo Pañebe Jr.
Nartatez reminded all personnel to remain within the limits of their authority, especially in sensitive cases involving ongoing investigations.
He also called on individuals with knowledge of the alleged meetings to cooperate with authorities, as the PNP’s internal probe runs parallel to the Napolcom investigation.
The police force assured the public that the case will be handled without favoritism and that any officer found to have improperly intervened will face appropriate legal action.
