The 10 cops who allegedly served an alleged illegitimate search warrant against an individual in Taguig City are now facing robbery, grave coercion among several complaints, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said Thursday.
In a statement, the NCRPO said Taguig City Police Station forwarded to the city prosecutor’s office the cases for robbery, grave coercion, physical injury, obstruction of justice, malicious mischief, violation of the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act, unlawful arrest, and violation of domicile.
“The charges forwarded against each respondent are based on their individual illegal actions committed and degree of participation in the illegitimate operation,” the NCRPO said.
Aside from these, the NCRPO said the involved police officers will also face an administrative investigation to determine liability.
“If substantial evidence is found that transgressions against PNP rules were committed, concerned police officers will be dismissed, demoted or suspended, depending on the degree of their participation of the illegal act,” the NCRPO said.
Earlier, the 10 cops including the commander of Tipas Police Substation were relieved from their posts due to the incident.
CCTV footage showed the police officers in civilian clothes entering a store and serving the supposed search warrant to a woman who had been charged over illegal drugs but was acquitted and released in 2022, according to a report of Nico Waje on GMA Integrated News’ Unang Balita Wednesday.
According to Taguig City Police chief Police Colonel Joey Goforth, it appears the said cops would ask for money in exchange for the release of the arrested individual.
The cops were seen pushing and grabbing some family members during their illegitimate operation. The police also damaged the CCTVs, according to one of the victims.
“NCRPO leadership has already warned police officers to toe the line, adhere to the Police Operational Procedures and do their job right,” NCRPO chief Police Brigadier General Anthony Aberin said.
“Any violation of law will not be tolerated and those who violate will face the full force of the law. Let us give to the people the police service they rightly deserve-competent, credible and rule-based,” he added. —Joviland Rita/RF, GMA Integrated News
