Mayor Lino Edgardo Cayetano on Monday ordered an investigation into the case of four Taguig City police officers who robbed a Japanese national in Pasig City over the weekend.
Cayetano formed a special team to conduct a full investigation after reports came in that a city government employee was also involved in the incident.
“I am creating a special investigation committee that will immediately look into a robbery incident involving a Taguig City employee. All links concerning this incident will be looked into,” he said.
Cayetano said the local government commended the members of the Pasig and Makati police for their swift action resulting in the arrest of the four policemen and their cohort.
The suspects were SSgt. Jayson Bartolome, Cpl. Merick Desoloc, Cpl. Christian Jerome Reyes, and Pat. Kirk Joshua Almojera, all assigned at the Taguig City Police Station, and one AJ Mary Agnas, a civilian.
Cayetano also tapped the Taguig City Police to cooperate with the investigation.
The city chief executive said the incident is deplorable and will not be tolerated. He asked the police commander to look into all personnel, clean the ranks and put order immediately.
Cayetano also asked for a reshuffle of Taguig PNP pending the investigation.
“The city condemns all acts of violence, illegal drugs, and corruption and it will not tolerate any employee who is involved in any form of crime. Let this serve as a very strong warning to bad elements who prey on innocent civilians,” said Cayetano.
“In Taguig, regardless of who you are, you will be punished to the fullest extent of the law,” he added.
Reports from the National Capital Region Police Office showed that the robbery happened around 12:10 a.m. on Dec. 18 along Sta Elvira Street in Barangay Kapitolyo, Pasig City.
NCRPO director P/Maj. Gen. Vicente Danao said the victims – Kani Toshihiro, a Japanese national, 42, and Joana Marie Espiritu, 26 – sought assistance after the incident.
The NCRPO reports showed that responding authorities tracked down the suspects at the West Capitol Drive and Sta. Monica Street.
“The suspects, in their attempt to elude arrest, threw some cash money in the amount of P1.3 million. During the process, suspects fired at the responding police officers, prompting the latter to retaliate until the two suspects abandoned their motorcycles and climbed the closed gate at West Capitol Drive corner Sta. Monica Brgy. Kapitolyo, Pasig City,” the report stated.