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NAPOLCOM recommends dismissal of ex-CIDG chief, sacks 11 police officers over missing sabungeros cases

Lyza Aquino

ABS-CBN News

<p>QUEZON CITY — The National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) has imposed the maximum administrative penalty against 11 police officers and recommended the dismissal of former Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) chief Police Brigadier General Romeo J. Macapaz in connection with the high-profile missing sabungeros cases.</p><p>During a press briefing on Friday, NAPOLCOM Vice Chairman and Executive Officer Ralph Calinisan said the commission found substantial evidence of grave misconduct, obstruction of justice, and conduct unbecoming of a police officer.</p><p>“Napolcom is a strong, independent oversight body of the Philippine National Police, mandated to ensure that police authority is exercised lawfully, responsibly, and with full respect for human rights,” the commissioner said.</p><p>“Where substantial evidence showed abuse of authority, obstruction of justice, and conduct unbecoming of a police officer, the NAPOLCOM imposed the maximum administrative penalties allowed by law.”</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/1/7/napolcom-files-admin-raps-vs-police-general-over-disobedience-luxury-item-display-1002">NAPOLCOM files admin raps vs police general over disobedience, wearing P70k shoes</a></div><div> </div><div><strong>11 police officers dismissed</strong></div><p> In the first case involving six counts of grave misconduct and one count of conduct unbecoming of a police officer, the commission ordered the outright dismissal from service of the following officers:</p><p>    •    Police Lieutenant Colonel Ryan J. Elia Borapa</p><p>    •    Police Major Mark Philip Cimborio Almedilla</p><p>    •    Police Executive Master Sergeant Aaron Ezra Lagahit Cabillan</p><p>    •    Police Chief Master Sergeant Arturo Opalla Dela Cruz Jr.</p><p>    •    Police Senior Master Sergeant Joey Natanawan Encarnacion</p><p>    •    Police Senior Master Sergeant Mark Anthony Aguilo Mandrique</p><p>    •    Police Senior Master Sergeant Anderson Orozco Abari</p><p>    •    Police Staff Sergeant Alfredo Uy Antes</p><p>    •    Police Staff Sergeant Edmond Hernandez Muñoz</p><p>    •    Police Corporal Angel Joseph Ferro Martin</p><p>    •    Police Staff Sergeant Renan Lagrosa Colencho</p><p>Aside from dismissal, the officers were slapped with accessory penalties including forfeiture of retirement benefits, cancellation of eligibility, and perpetual disqualification from holding public office.</p><p>In a separate case, NAPOLCOM recommended to the Office of the President the dismissal of former CIDG Chief Police Brigadier General Romeo J. Macapaz, citing limitations under the law that require presidential clearance for officers with the rank of police colonel and higher.</p><p>“Kapag ang ranggo po ay Police Colonel pataas, kailangan po natin ng presidential clearance,” the commissioner explained.</p><p>“The NAPOLCOM released a resolution ordering the dismissal of Lieutenant Colonel Orapa et al, and issued a resolution recommending to the Office of the President the dismissal of Police Brigadier General Romeo J. Macapaz.”</p><div> </div><div><strong>Obstruction of justice during Cambodia mission</strong></div><p>NAPOLCOM said Macapaz committed grave misconduct when he allegedly used a Cambodia rescue and repatriation mission as a pretext to arrest key witnesses and tamper with evidence related to the missing sabungeros investigation.</p><p>“He unlawfully seized and retained the cell phones of Ellakim and Jose Patidongan during the Cambodia rescue mission without legal basis,” officials said. “He altered and deleted messages from the confiscated cell phones and concealed or caused the loss of SD cards, thereby impairing the availability of crucial evidence.”</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/1/16/missing-sabungeros-kin-to-atong-ang-face-arrest-defend-yourself-in-court-1034">Missing sabungeros&#x27; kin to Atong Ang: Face arrest, defend yourself in court</a></div><p>The Patidongan brothers were described as vital witnesses in the missing sabungeros cases. “’Yung rescue mission as a pretext for arresting witnesses, kinompromise niya ’yung mga ebidensya, and that is serious abuse of authority,” the commissioner said. “That is obstruction of justice under PD 1829, qualifying as grave misconduct.”</p><p>The dismissal of Macapaz will now be subject to action by Malacañang, while the dismissal orders against the 11 other officers take effect immediately.</p>

<p>Aside from dismissal, the police officers were slapped with accessory penalties including forfeiture of retirement benefits, cancellation of eligibility, and perpetual disqualification from holding public office.</p>

Aside from dismissal, the police officers were slapped with accessory penalties including forfeiture of retirement benefits, cancellation of eligibility, and perpetual disqualification from holding public office.

Napolcom recommends dismissal of ex-CIDG chief, sacks 11 police officers over missing sabungeros cases

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Napolcom recommends dismissal of ex-CIDG chief, sacks 11 police officers over missing sabungeros cases

Lyza Aquino,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jan 16, 2026 05:31 PM PHT

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