Ten members of the Angono Municipal Police Station are facing serious administrative charges after being caught in an alleged fake buy-bust operation and extortion involving a civilian.
The complaint was formally filed by Nestor Makabenta Jr., with the assistance of the office of Senator Erwin Tulfo.
Based on the victim's account, the police made it appear that he was arrested in a buy-bust operation around 10 p.m. on 10 November 2025.
However, based on CCTV footage, Makabenta was already intercepted while riding a motorcycle as early as 5 p.m.
This was allegedly where the extortion began, with the victim being asked for P50,000 as a "settlement." Even though the family was able to send money via GCash, the police still proceeded with filing a case against him.
The prosecutor's office had earlier dismissed the criminal charges against Makabenta after finding significant discrepancies between the police's account and the testimonies of the barangay tanods (village watchmen) and CCTV evidence.
Police officers from the Angono Police Station in Rizal who are currently under investigation by the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) for alleged grave misconduct, extortion, and staging a fraudulent drug operation are PCPT Francis Caparas, PCMS Randell Evardone, PMSg Jeffrey Godalle, PMSg Michael Maandal, PSSg Rommel Bilog, PSSg Daril Piamonte, PSSg Rowel Sabangan, PSSg Alejandro Probadora, PSSg Brian Moises, and PCpl Andres Buelo Jr.
As part of immediate administrative measures, the Rizal Provincial Police Office and Police Regional Office CALABARZON confirmed that the personnel involved are currently undergoing administrative relief and are under restrictive custody at the Personnel Holding and Accounting Section.
Their service firearms were also confiscated to ensure a fair investigation.
NAPOLCOM Commissioner Ralph Calinisan strongly condemned the incident and assured that no "whitewash" will occur in the case.
According to Calinisan, the use of power to intimidate and extort is a clear abuse that will not be tolerated in the service.
The commission's Inspection, Monitoring, and Investigation Service is currently conducting a thorough investigation into the said police officers.