Camarin commander, 4 others under hot water for alleged mishandled house search
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At least five police officials were temporarily relieved of their duties following the circulation of a viral video showing Caloocan City police officers entering a residential area during a hot pursuit.
Police Lieutenant Russelle Fang, commander of the Camarin Police Substation, said he and his officers entered a home in Barangay 178 around 2:30 AM on Wednesday, 26 February, after a witness reported that the suspect had fled through the area.
Around 11:20 PM on 25 February, it was reported to the Camarin Substation that a shooting incident occurred along Avocado Street, corner Mangga, in Barangay 178.
According to the spot report submitted to Caloocan City Police Chief Edcille Canals, a woman identified only as "Raquel" was shot by an unidentified man wearing a white t-shirt. The 34-year-old woman died instantly after being shot twice in the head.
Fang said authorities are investigating the possibility of a drug-related killing, as the victim had previously struggled with drug dependency before completing a barangay-led rehabilitation program.
Following the shooting, police launched a hot pursuit to apprehend the suspect.
A viral video uploaded on Facebook by “Raghine” showed a tense situation when police entered the residential area. The uploader wrote in the caption: “Yan ang ginawa niyo sa bahay namin. 3 AM ng madaling araw, tulog lahat ng tao sa bahay! Sinira niyo ang gate namin at pilit kayong pumasok kahit wala kayong search warrant!”
In one of the videos, a woman and a police officer were seen arguing during a search. The woman accused the police of disturbing them, while the police officer insisted that they were searching for the criminal who had fled in their direction.
Fang added that upon their arrival, the residents were already shouting at the police officers.
“They said that we are always doing this to them; however, this is our first time entering the area,” Fang said.
The lieutenant emphasized that they entered the area as part of a hot pursuit, a follow-up response after the incident.
Regarding the bag that a woman in the video claimed contained trash materials, police said that upon inspection, it was found to hold clothes belonging to a woman and a child.
“The investigator verified, and upon checking, it contained the clothes of a woman and a child. By morning, a couple claimed the bag, and they said that all belongings in the bag were complete,” Fang added.
In a phone interview, Caloocan City Police Chief Edcille Canals confirmed that Fang and four other Camarin policemen were placed on administrative leave.
“There is an allegation of conducting an illegal search, so we are conducting an investigation. To assure an impartial and transparent investigation, we placed them on administrative leave,” Canals said.
“Caloocan City Police Station (CCPS) remains committed to professionalism and accountability. We urge the public to allow due process and report any relevant information to the CCPS to assist in the investigation,” Colonel Josefino Ligan, Acting Director of the Northern Police District, said in a statement.
DAILY TRIBUNE has reached out to the uploader for comment but has yet to receive a response.
