10 Rizal police officers relieved over alleged fake drug sting, extortion

At least 10 police officers from the Angono Municipal Police Station were relieved of duty and placed under restrictive custody Wednesday following allegations they fabricated a drug arrest to extort money from a criminology student.

The Police Regional Office 4A ordered the administrative relief and disarming of the officers after Nestor Makabenta Jr. filed a formal complaint with the National Police Commission (Napolcom) on Tuesday.

The implicated personnel include a captain, a chief master sergeant, two master sergeants, five staff sergeants and a corporal, all formerly assigned to the station’s anti-drug unit.

According to the complaint, the officers claimed they arrested Makabenta during a buy-bust operation at 10 p.m. on 10 November 2025. However, CCTV footage submitted as evidence showed officers intercepting Makabenta while he was riding his motorcycle as early as 5 p.m.

Makabenta alleged he was coerced into admitting involvement with illegal drugs and pressured to pay P50,000 as a “settlement.” Despite his family reportedly sending the money via an e-wallet, the officers proceeded to file a criminal case against him.

A prosecutor later dismissed the charges against Makabenta, citing “significant discrepancies” between the police affidavits and the testimonies of village watchmen and media representatives.

The witnesses clarified they were only present for the post-arrest inventory and did not witness the actual operation.

“When power is used to intimidate and extort, it is a clear abuse,” Napolcom executive officer Rafael Vicente R. Calinisan said. “There is no place in the police service for abuse and extortion. Those responsible will be hit where it hurts.”

The relieved officers were identified as Capt. Francis Caparas, Chief Master Sgt. Randell Evardone, Master Sgts. Jeffrey Godalle and Michael Maandal, Staff Sgts. Rommel Bilog, Daril Piamonte, Rowel Sabangan, Alejandro Probadora, and Brian Moises, and Cpl. Andres Buelo Jr.