The National Police Commission (Napolcom) has filed administrative charges against a Taguig policeman accused of sexually molesting an eight-year-old girl.
The complaint was filed by the victim’s family against Corporal Michael Jo Aure Nogales, who is assigned to Sub-Station 4 of the Taguig City Police Station.
Napolcom vice chairman and executive officer Rafael Vicente Calinisan said the case may involve grave misconduct and conduct unbecoming a police officer.
“We’re looking at grave misconduct and conduct unbecoming a police officer,” Calinisan told a press briefing on Tuesday.
“It’s not the job of policemen to molest an eight-year-old. Their job is to protect the safety and welfare of the public, especially the children,” he added.
Calinisan said Nogales is currently under the restrictive custody of the Philippine National Police while a separate criminal investigation is ongoing.
He said Napolcom will not tolerate misconduct within the police force, particularly cases involving abuse of minors.
“This is not a reflection of who the PNP is,” Calinisan said, adding that Nogales could be dismissed from the service if warranted by evidence.
“If we have to do this every day, we will do this every day until they are all gone,” he added, referring to the dismissal of erring police officers.
Calinisan also ordered a review of the PNP recruitment process to strengthen the screening of police applicants and prevent unfit individuals from entering the service.
“This case should compel us to look beyond punishment and focus on prevention,” he said.
Calinisan urged criminology schools, educators, the Professional Regulation Commission, and communities to help improve the recruitment and screening process.
“We must ensure that only those who are physically, mentally, emotionally, and morally fit are entrusted with the badge. We have to stop these incidents before they happen by preventing unfit individuals from entering the police service,” he said.
According to Napolcom, the incident occurred on June 21 when Nogales allegedly approached the girl and said, “Puwedeng pakiss sa pisngi! Mas maganda ka pa sa asawa ko.”
Napolcom said the policeman then allegedly “repeatedly caressed the child’s face without her consent,” causing the girl to feel intimidated, uncomfortable, and embarrassed.