By Ferdinand Fabella and Romie A. Evangelista

Twenty-nine policemen have been slapped a 90-day preventive suspension over the reported rubout of three suspected car thieves in Quezon City last week.

The National Police Commission said it found ?strong evidence of culpability? for grave misconduct and violations of the rules of engagement, or the police operational procedures.

?After careful deliberations, the commission has decided to place these policemen under 90-day preventive suspensions pending the completion of our ongoing investigation,? Interior Secretary and Napolcom Chairman Ronaldo Puno announced in a press conference yesterday.

Of the 29 suspended policemen, eight were from the Anti-Carnapping Unit of the QC Police District and 21 were from the Highway Patrol Group.

Seven of the policemen were officers, including HPG Team Leader Senior Supt. Fortunato Guerrero and Ancar head Insp. Angelo Nicolas.

Emerging from an en banc meeting with the four-member panel, Puno cited lapses by the joint police team that interdicted the armed suspects at the corner of Edsa and NIA Road last Feb. 17.

These are: (1) some policemen were not in proper police uniform during the ?police intervention operations? in violation of POP Rule 3.C; (2) there was no showing that sufficient warnings and efforts were exerted to persuade the suspects to come out of the car and surrender; 3) The policemen used excessive force when they approached the vehicle and shot dead the suspects inside the vehicle; and (4) the operatives did not secure the site of the confrontation and check whether the situation still posed imminent danger, so as to evacuate the wounded to the hospital, and account for the killed, wounded and arrested persons for proper disposition.

In a six-page resolution, it noted that at least one wounded suspect were shot point blank, based on a television news footage taken during the encounter.

Aside from Nicolas and Guerrero, also suspended are SPO1 Federick Torres, PO3 Honey Besas, PO3 Glicerio Manacpo, PO2 Eugene Martines, PO2 Randy Barrameda, PO1 Ranmond Escober, PO1 Freddy Suliva, Chief Insp. Allan Rubi Macapagal, Chief Insp. James Ramos, Chief Insp. Henry Cerdon, Chief Insp. Francis Bunag, Insp. Rogelio Acosta, SPO4 Gregorio Aquino, SPO2 Wilson Prion, SPO1 Eliseo Dannug, PO3 Ireneo Emerson Reyes, PO3 Allan Joseph Bonggat, PO3 Joel Sabalvaro, PO3 Julius Arcalas, PO3 Eduardo Medenilla, PO3 Erwin Rubrico, PO2 Catherine Guerrero, PO2 Arlene Driz, PO1 Eugene Morales, PO1 Virgilio Sunga, PO1 Jessie Olpindo and PO1 Avelino Nunez.

National Police Chief Jesus Verzosa, who is also part of the commission, said additional charges were in store in the course of parallel probes.

?We?re still looking at some other variables here, especially what caused these lapses,? he said.

Puno said the commission has also directed the Inspection, Monitoring and Investigation Service to assist the slain suspects? families in filing criminal charges against the erring policemen and protect them from any form of intimidation or harassment.