The Philippine National Police (PNP) chief warned that more personnel could face dismissal following the arrest of two policemen allegedly involved in the illegal transport of mineral ore in Misamis Oriental.
PNP Chief Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said command responsibility is under review, noting that supervisors may also be held accountable if lapses are established.
“Command responsibility is being reviewed. If there were lapses on the part of supervisors, they will also be held accountable,” Nartatez said.
“We will not tolerate this kind of activity. We will not let a few rotten apples tarnish the organization,” he added.
The two officers, assigned to the Monkayo Municipal Police Station in Davao de Oro, have been relieved from their posts and placed under PNP custody pending the filing of criminal and administrative charges.
They were arrested in Opol, Misamis Oriental after authorities intercepted a vehicle carrying 58 sacks of suspected unprocessed mineral ore valued at around P290,000 in Barangay Limonda.
Investigators said the officers were allegedly escorting the transport outside their jurisdiction, raising concerns about possible involvement in illegal mining operations.
Nartatez said the Internal Affairs Service has been directed to conduct a deeper investigation to determine whether other personnel are linked to similar activities.
“The fact that they were caught outside their jurisdiction proves they were moonlighting as escorts,” he said.
The PNP chief confirmed that charges will be filed against the two officers—a senior master sergeant and a staff sergeant—for violations of the Philippine Mining Act and for grave misconduct.
“We have a zero-tolerance policy for rogue policemen,” Nartatez said, adding that the organization remains committed to accountability within its ranks.