Philippine National Police (PNP) acting chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. on Sunday, Dec. 28, directed an immediate investigation into the alleged involvement of eight Eastern Police District (EPD) personnel in a robbery incident during an anti-illegal drug operation in Pasig City.
Nartatez said the concerned police officers have been placed under restrictive custody, as the Internal Affairs Service, in coordination with the National Capital Region Police Office, was ordered to fast-track the investigation and determine appropriate administrative and criminal charges.
“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,” the acting PNP chief said.
“Let this serve as a stern warning that this kind of practice will no longer work in the New PNP,” he added.
According to the NCRPO, personnel of the EPD Drug Enforcement Unit allegedly entered a residential house in search of a suspected drug personality in Barangay Palatiw on Dec. 26.
The occupants later reported the alleged taking of personal belongings, prompting them to seek police assistance.
Initial verification showed that the officers failed to present official documents to prove the legitimacy of the anti-drug operation.
The complaint was immediately acted upon by the Pasig City Police Station, and the eight operatives, as well as the drug suspect, were placed under police custody at the station for inquest proceedings.
The eight police personnel involved were also disarmed of their service firearms.
Nartatez said the incident reinforces, rather than weakens, the PNP’s ongoing campaign against rogue officers.
“There is no place in the PNP for abusive and criminal police officers. Whether rank-and-file or officer, if found guilty, they will be expelled from the organization,” he said.
“This is not the kind of police we want to serve the public. Rest assured, there are more honest and upright police officers than the few who tarnish the name of the PNP,” he added.
He encouraged the public to report police abuse through established hotlines and local police desks, stressing that restoring public trust remains a top priority of the PNP leadership.
