All 14 Bacoor cops in robbery-rape case now in custody

All of the police officers allegedly involved in a robbery-rape case in Bacoor City are now in the custody of authorities after the six remaining at large surrendered, according to Philippine National Police–Drug Enforcement Group (PNP-PDEG) acting director Brig. Gen. Elmer Ragay on Monday.

Ragay said the suspects began to surrender at 1:30 p.m. on 27 November and the process was completed by 5:30 p.m.

“Around 1:30 p.m. of Nov. 27, they started to surrender, the six who’s at large. By 5:40 p.m they were already completed and they were all delivered to my office in PDEG headquarters together with their family members and assisted by their legal counsels,” Ragay said in a mix of English and Filipino.

The six officers were among the 14 policemen who reportedly conducted an anti-illegal drug operation targeting the victim’s boyfriend, who allegedly evaded arrest.

The 18-year-old victim filed a complaint with the National Police Commission alleging that the officers barged into their house on 22 November and robbed her, her cousin, and her cousin’s partner. One of the policemen allegedly raped her.

According to the complainant, the officers did not identify themselves as law enforcers, did not present any documents such as search warrants, were not in uniform, and had their faces masked.

The six officers were brought to the PNP Headquarters Support Service and are facing rape and robbery charges, alongside the eight officers earlier arrested. They are also facing an administrative case before the National Police Commission.

Ragay said all of the officers have been relieved from their posts and placed under restrictive custody.

“If we follow the restrictive custody, they have been relieved, reassigned, to the Head Quarter Support Service. They are detained in the detention facility of HSS right now,” Ragay stated.

He added that the unit commanders were also replaced, while personnel not involved in the incident will remain in their posts.