PNP director gives order: Charge Nueva Ecija cops

Hijacking 

By Aaron B. Recuenco

Two policemen are now facing dismissal from the service after being implicated in the hijacking of a delivery van loaded with cigarettes in Nueva Ecija.

Director General Ricardo Marquez, chief of the Philippine National Police, ordered that summary dismissal proceedings begin against Police Officer 1 Alvin Belmonte and PO3 Benito Marquez (not related to the PNP Chief).

Belmonte is assigned to the Palayan City Police Station while Marquez is detailed at the General Natividad Police Station.

The case stemmed from a police report in Gabaldon town about a robbery in progress in Barangay Malinao around 4 p.m. July 30.

The target was a van loaded with cigarettes and heading towards Cabanatuan City from Aurora.

Local police then responded and chanced upon the suspects, triggering a shootout when lawmen came under fire.

One of the suspects, identified as Raymond Reyes, died during the shootout.

Belmonte and another alleged civilian cohort – Reynaldo Gozon – were arrested later.

During the probe, the name of PO3 Marquez cropped up. He was surrendered later by his superior.

The suspects turned out to be part of a group engaged not only in robbery but also in gun-for-hire and carnapping activities, said the PNP chief.

He warned  police against engaging in illegal activities but declared that he will be generous in praising and rewarding the deeds of the good.