Taguig cops relieved amid alleged 'hulidap,' probe sought

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. ordered a thorough investigation Sunday into an alleged "hulidap" extortion attempt in Taguig City after a viral video showed officers attempting to apprehend a 24-year-old man.

The national police leadership confirmed the relief of five personnel from Taguig City Police Substation 9 in New Lower Bicutan, including four responding officers and the substation commander, who was reassigned under the principle of command responsibility.

The administrative action follows a 6 October incident captured on video showing men identifying themselves as police officers accosting and handcuffing a resident.

Relatives of the victim stated that the officers accused him of belonging to a robbery group and attempted to force him into custody before nearby residents intervened.

The involved officers claimed they were responding to a report regarding illegal marijuana use in Barangay Lower Bicutan and withdrew after a crowd of residents confronted them.

Nartatez directed the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) and Taguig City Police to submit a comprehensive report evaluating officer compliance with standard arrest protocols.

He also cited that the investigation aligns with directives from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla to enforce police accountability.

"The PNP will not allow the authority entrusted to our personnel to be used against the very people they are sworn to protect," Nartatez said in a statement. "Accountability is essential to maintaining public trust, and no one is above the law."

Meantime, NCRPO Officer-in-Charge Brig. Gen. Christopher Abrahano reiterated that the administrative reassignment of the five personnel serves as a standard precautionary measure to ensure an unhindered probe and does not constitute a final finding of guilt.