The Philippine National Police on Monday reported that the nine Navotas City police officers allegedly involved in the torture of two murder suspects were relieved from their post while being investigated.

The two arrested individuals filed a case against eight of the officers on 20 November for alleged grave misconduct, serious irregularities in the performance of duty, conduct unbecoming of a police officer and violation of the Anti-Torture Act before the Internal Affairs Service.

However, PNP public information Chief Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño said that the Chief Investigating Officer was added to the list.

“They were relieved and are now at the District PHAU (Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit) of the Northern Police District,” Tuaño said.

The names of the involved officers were withheld, but Tuaño explained that the chief investigation officer was relieved due to command responsibility. Among the involved, four were staff sergeants, one master sergeant, a corporal, and two patrolmen.

According to the PNP information chief, the officers received their subpoena on 27 November when the Internal Affairs started their investigation into the incident, and the National Police Commission on 28 November conducted a separate probe.

The legal counsel of the alleged victims, Cid Andeza, expressed belief that his clients were coerced into signing an extrajudicial confession that sheet and killed two individuals in Navotas on 3 November.

The Navotas Police denied the allegation and said in their statement dated last Wednesday that this is an “attempt to undermine the integrity of the investigation and evade criminal liability.” 

“The timing and nature of the accusations indicate an attempt to undermine the integrity of the investigation and escape criminal liability for the double murder,” Navotas Police said in their statement.