Several administrative and criminal charges are being readied against eight Eastern Police District (EPD) personnel accused of robbery during an anti-illegal drug operation in Pasig City, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Sunday.
PNP chief Police Lieutenant General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. ordered an immediate investigation into the incident and placed the eight police officers under restrictive custody.
“I will not allow a handful of bad eggs to drag down the entire police organization. If proven to have committed this serious offense, I will make sure that they will not only be dismissed from the service, they will spend jail time too,” Nartatez warned erring cops.
The Internal Affairs Service (IAS), in coordination with the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), was directed to fast-track the probe and determine the appropriate charges.
According to the NCRPO, personnel from the EPD Drug Enforcement Unit allegedly entered a residential house in Barangay Palatiw on Dec. 26 while looking for a suspected drug personality. The occupants later reported that personal belongings were taken during the operation.
Initial verification showed that the police officers failed to present official documents to establish the legitimacy of the supposed anti-drug operation.
The complaint was immediately acted upon by the Pasig City Police Station.
The eight police operatives and the drug suspect were placed under custody at the Pasig City Police Station for inquest proceedings. The involved officers were also disarmed of their service firearms.
“There is no place in the PNP for abusive and criminal police officers. Whether rank-and-file or officer, if proven guilty, you will be removed from the police organization,” Nartatez stressed.
IAS investigators are now examining the circumstances of the operation, including the absence of documentation, to determine accountability and possible violations of law.