The Philippine National Police (PNP) has launched an investigation into a Manila Police officer accused of raping and physically abusing a 27-year-old woman in December.

Acting PNP Chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. on Sunday ordered the National Capital Region Police Office to relieve the officer of his duties and place him under restrictive custody.

“Any complaint against our personnel is taken seriously to send a strong message that we do not condone actions that compromise the integrity of the PNP,” Nartatez said in a statement.

He added that the officer faces both dismissal from the service and criminal charges if found liable.

The victim sought assistance from the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption following the alleged assault on 4 December 2025. According to the victim, she lost consciousness after consuming a drink at a bar in Tomas Morato.

Closed-circuit television footage from the establishment reportedly shows the victim being wheeled out of the bar and into the suspect’s vehicle. Additional footage from a motel in Sampaloc allegedly shows the officer carrying the unconscious woman into a room at approximately 6 a.m.

The victim, who identified the officer as a long-time family friend and a childhood acquaintance, said she awoke to find the suspect pinning her down.

“I tried to fight back, but I couldn’t because I was gasping for air,” the victim said. She noted that she feared for her life during the encounter, worried the officer might use his service firearm if she became hysterical.