Seventeen more Quezon City cops had been relieved from their posts over the fatal hit-and-run incident involving a pickup truck of P/Lt. Col. Mark Abong along Anonas corner Pajo streets last 6 August.
Abong had been charged with homicide over the death of tricycle driver Joel Laroa.
The police official denied being behind the wheel of the black Ford Ranger pick-up when it hit the tricycle as it crossed into the opposite lane in overtaking a patrol car.
Sacked as chief of the Quezon City Police District’s criminal investigation and detection unit, Abong claimed his mechanic drove the vehicle without his permission when it crashed into the tricycle.
Also relieved while being investigated over suspicion of covering up the incident were P/Col. Alexander Barredo, Cpl. Joan Vicente, and investigating officer P/SMSgt. Jose Soriano.
The latest relief order covered the 17 cops who were duty officers of the day, shift patrol supervisors and station tactical operation center personnel.
All the relieved officers were restricted to the Quezon City Police District headquarters at Camp Karingal.
Laroa’s widow said that he may have lived had the police officers bothered to bring him to the hospital immediately after the incident that was captured on video by closed-circuit TV cameras.
The Quezon City People’s Law Enforcement Board is investigating the incident.