NAPOLCOM finds ‘probable cause’ to charge ex-CIDG chief

THE National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) said it has filed an administrative case last August 22, against PBGen. Romeo Macapaz, former head of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and presently, the Region 12 police director, in connection with the ongoing probe on the disappearance of cockfighting afficionados or the case of the ‘missing sabungeros.’

The filing of the case resulted from the complaint before the NAPOLCOM lodged by brothers Julie (alias ‘Totoy’) and Elakim Patidongan, the government’s key witnesses to the case.

In their complaint last August 14, the sibling claimed that Macapaz has been working to frame them as behind the disappearances of the sabungeros that happened between 2021 and 2022 and whose remains are yet to be found.

Elakim is the main complainant against Macapaz and two other CIDG officers with Julie providing corroborative statements.

Julie, who formally surfaced last July 2, claimed that gambling impresario, Charlie ‘Atong’ Ang, is behind the disappearances but this was vehemently denied by Ang. Julie is a former close employee of Ang (Pinoy Exposé, July 22, 2025).

The NAPOLCOM’s Inspection, Monitoring and Investigation Service (IMIS) filed the charges against Macapaz before the agency’s Legal Affairs Service for grave misconduct and conduct unbecoming of a police officer, based on the result of its pre-charge investigation, said IMIS Director Edman Pares.

Pares, however, said the charges against PLt. Col. Rosell Encarnacion and PCpt. Jairus Vincent were dropped for lack of probable cause.

NAPOLCOM Vice Chairman and Executive Officer Commissioner Vicente Rafael Calinisan, assured the proceedings against Macapaz will be impartial.

“We are not condemning anyone yet. We will listen. We will have due process. We promise both the respondents and the complainants that their cases will be handled properly,” Calinisan said.

Macapaz has refused to make a public statement except for saying that he would submit his reply to the NAPOLCOM.

Macapaz formally assumed the post as PRO12 regional director last July 30.

Fate known within 60 days

His fate can be decided within the next 60 days based on the major reform initiated by Calinisan on the investigation of complaints against the members of the PNP.

Based on NAPOLCOM Office Order 2025-012 that Calinisan signed last June 2, the entire process of Summary Dismissal Proceedings (SDP) of police administrative cases would now last 60 days from the filing of a complaint.

This procedural overhaul reinforces NAPOLCOM’s mandate under Republic Act (RA) No. 6975 (PNP Law), as amended by RA 8551 (PNP Reform and Reorganization Act), to ensure swift justice and maintain professional standards within the national police organization.

“Our goal is simple but bold: no case shall drag on. We act fast, fair, and fearlessly,” Calinisan said at the time.

The new rules took effect immediately and remains in force pending the revision of NAPOLCOM Memorandum Circular No. 2016-002, which governs administrative disciplinary rules and procedures of all disciplinary authorities (e.g. IAS, PLEB, RDs, CPNP) of the PNP.