Las Pi±as City: No top officials of the Philippine National Police (PNP) were involved in an unauthorized operation in Las Pi±as City where cops allegedly stole PHP85 million from a Chinese businessman. Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla stated that eight members of the District Special Operations Unit (DSOU) of the Eastern Police District (EPD) are currently detained and are facing criminal and administrative charges, including robbery, serious illegal detention and kidnapping, and unlawful arrest.
According to Philippines News Agency, PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil has already ordered the relief of EPD Director Brig. Gen. Villamor Tuliao, citing “grave leadership failure,” and the entire DSOU following the unauthorized April 2 operation. He emphasized that those involved must be summarily dismissed from the service and permanently disqualified from holding any position in government. Remulla, in a press conference in Quezon City, noted that there is no information implicating PNP top officials, suggesting that the operation was conducted by rogue officers acting independently.
National Capital Region Police Office deputy chief for administration Brig. Gen. Rogelio Pe±ones Jr. confirmed that criminal charges have been filed against the eight officers at the Las Pi±as prosecutors’ office. During the investigation, Pe±ones highlighted several discrepancies that violated police operational procedures, asserting that the operation was essentially a robbery disguised under the pretense of serving a warrant.
The victim and their relatives claimed that the EPD officers disabled their CCTV systems, forcibly accessed their vaults, and seized money, jewelry, gadgets, and personal belongings. PNP-Internal Affairs Service Inspector General Brigido Dulay identified serious breaches of police procedures based on testimonies from the victim and other witnesses, pointing out the absence of body-worn camera recordings and the destruction of CCTV footage as key concerns.
Dulay emphasized the need for a thorough investigation, vowing to uncover all involved parties, whether they are direct perpetrators, accomplices, or negligent superiors. Marbil, during a flag-raising ceremony at Camp Crame, urged officers to maintain the highest standards of integrity, stressing that any misconduct by an officer could damage the reputation of the entire police force and undermine public trust. He called for vigilance among officers to police their own ranks and prevent misconduct before it escalates.
