Angono cops relieved over falsified drug arrest

The Police Regional Office (PRO) 4A (Calabarzon) on 06 February 2026 ordered the relief of 10 policemen assigned in Angono, Rizal, and placed them under restrictive custody for allegedly arresting a criminology student over concocted drug charges.

“As an immediate administrative measure, the subject personnel were administratively relieved, disarmed of their issued firearms, and placed under restrictive custody of the Administrative Holding Section of the Rizal Police Provincial Office, pending the outcome of the investigation. These actions are without prejudice to the filing of appropriate administrative and criminal charges, should the evidence so warrant,” the PRO 4A statement read.

It added that it will conduct its own parallel internal investigation to determine the accountability of those involved and to ensure due process is strictly observed.

The 10 implicated officers are facing an administrative complaint for grave misconduct and conduct unbecoming of a police officer before the National Police Commission (Napolcom), lodged on 04 February 2026 by the victim.

According to the complaint, police officers claimed the arrest resulted from a buy-bust operation at around 10 p.m. on 10 November 2025, but CCTV footage submitted showed the complainant was intercepted as early as 5 p.m. while riding a motorcycle. The victim also alleged he was coerced into admitting drug involvement and asked to produce P50,000 as “areglo,” which his family provided through GCash. Despite this, a criminal case was still filed against him.

The criminal case was later dismissed by the prosecutor after finding inconsistencies between the affidavits of the arresting officers and the statements of barangay tanods and media representatives, who clarified they only witnessed the inventory and were not present during the arrest.

Napolcom Executive Officer Rafael Vicente R. Calinisan said the commission will act decisively and has directed the Inspection, Monitoring, and Investigation Service to immediately investigate the complaint.

“Kapag ang kapangyarihan ay ginamit para manakot at mangikil, malinaw na abuso ito. Tatamaan ang dapat tamaan. Walang puwang sa serbisyo-pulis ang pang-aabuso at pangingikil,” Calinisan told the Daily Tribune.

Calinisan previously identified the officers as a police captain, a police chief master sergeant, two master sergeants, five staff sergeants, and a police corporal, all with the municipal police’s anti-drug unit.

He emphasized that accountability is essential to restoring public trust.

“Hindi maaaring baluktutin ang katotohanan o yurakan ang karapatan ng mamamayan. Bilang Pulis ng Pulis, tungkulin ng Napolcom na tiyaking ang uniporme ay simbolo ng proteksyon, hindi pang-aabuso. Kung may nagkasala, pananagutan ang katapat, walang pagtatakip at walang sasantuhin,” he added.

The PRO 4A affirmed its support and pledged cooperation for Napolcom’s investigation.

“We reiterate that PRO Calabarzon stands for integrity, professionalism, and respect for human rights,” the PRO 4A said.

“Any personnel found to have violated the law and PNP rules will be dealt with accordingly. There will be no whitewash, and no one is above the law,” PRO 4A emphasized.