Las Piñas Officer Removed from Duty Following Allegations of Mistreating Police Trainees

Las Piñas City — A Las Piñas police officer has been dismissed from his current position amid accusations of mistreating police trainees, a high-ranking official confirmed today.

According to Philippines News Agency, in communication with the Philippine News Agency on Friday, NCRPO Brig. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. has ordered the removal of Maj. Knowme Sia from his role as chief of the Administrative Resources Management Section (ARMS) of the Las Piñas City Police Station. Allegations surfaced regarding Sia employing excessive force while disciplining trainees for tardiness. “He was already relieved and was reassigned to the Administrative Holding Section of the Las Piñas City Police Station. He is undergoing investigation and will be charged with administrative and criminal cases,” Salas disclosed. The charges against Sia could include grave misconduct administratively, and physical injury on a criminal level.

The controversy arose from an incident on October 29, detailed in a police report, where trainees were instructed to assemble at the station for a roll call and briefing amidst heightened security for local elections. The trainees who failed to arrive promptly at the specified time of 8 a.m. were later penalized. It is reported that Sia directed the latecomers to the Community Affairs Office for discipline and subsequently struck them with a wooden stick, targeting various parts of their bodies, including their heads.