The family of the uniformed man, from the municipality of Falan-Tolima, feared the worst. Fortunately, the case had a very different outcome.
The National Police patrol car Luis Alberto Morales Almonacidreported missing, was captured in a commercial establishment in Bogotá, accused of dereliction of duty.
Morales had to appear at the Police Station of the municipality of Saravena on May 26, 2024, after having completed his leave of absence. However, as there was no news of his whereabouts, it was initially speculated about a possible kidnapping by an armed insurgent group.
The situation generated great concern among his relatives, who publicly requested that, if he were in the power of an insurgent group, his life be respected and he be released. His mother, Patricia Yasmin Almonacid Bonilla, expressed her anguish through social networks, asking for any information about her son’s whereabouts.
“Several messages from his family and friends pray that the police institution establish an investigation that leads to his location, but so far it has not been possible,” wrote Patricia Yasmin on her Facebook account, along with contact numbers for any relevant information.
The capture operation was carried out when The accused was found in a public establishment in the country’s capital, chatting and playing billiards. During the intervention, the patrolman acknowledged that he had to report to the station, thus confirming his abandonment of duty.
According to the Military Penal Code in its article 107, Abandonment of Service is classified as follows: “The Officer or Non-Commissioned Officer of the Public Force, or the staff of agents or of the executive level of the National Police who abandons the duties of the position for more than five (5) consecutive days, or does not appear to the respective superior within the same period counted from the date indicated by the regulations or superior orders, for the fulfillment of acts of service, or does not appear within five (5) days following the date of expiration of a license, permit, vacation or its legally communicated cancellation, will incur a prison sentence of one (1) to three (3) years.
The National Police issued a statement ensuring that a thorough investigation will be carried out to determine the exact circumstances of his absence and the corresponding disciplinary measures. Meanwhile, Morales remains in custody awaiting his judicial process.
