6 MPD cops sacked over improper response to jeepney robbery

SIX members of the Manila Police District (MPD) have been relieved from their posts for their improper response to a jeepney robbery in Manila’s Sta. Mesa District that was caught in a viral video.

At a press briefing, PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said the erring officers failed to heed police operational procedures (POP) during the incident.

“Once makita natin na nagkaroon talaga ng negligence ay this constitutes less grave offense at medyo mabigat ito dahil violation ito ng existing POPs natin,” she said.

According to reports, the suspect had tried to rob the jeepney and held the driver at knifepoint along Magsaysay Boulevard before dawn on January 12.

In the viral video, several police officers, some bearing wooden batons and shields, were shown surrounding the jeepney as they tried to arrest the suspect, as posted on abogado.com

The suspect tried to attack a policeman before he was shot in the leg.

The video drew criticisms for the firing of a gun in a public area and the apparent failure of the responding officers to secure the area and arrest the suspect immediately.