4 SWAT officers seen in Pasig private event relieved from duty - EPD
The Eastern Police District (EPD) on Thursday, June 27, announced that four members of the Pasig City Police Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team have been relieved from duty after they were seen in a private event of a networking company in Pasig City on June 22.
The EPD said the four officers were removed from their posts as the investigation about the incident is being conducted.
In its statement, the EPD said the Pasig City Police SWAT did not provide security or escort services during the event.
Instead, the SWAT officers were said to be conducting visibility patrol along San Miguel Avenue in Barangay San Antonio, Pasig City as part of its daily patrol routine to prevent and control crimes.
As they stopped in front of a bank, a woman, who was later identified as a member of the networking company spearheading the event, approached the officers and asked for a photo with them and if they can be introduced to her manager.
"They (SWAT officers) accepted the said request and went to the lobby which is located at the ground floor of Octagon Building to take some pictures. After the said picture taking, they were invited to go up to the event area at the 24th floor to have some snack, but the team refused the said offer because they need to continue to conduct mobile patrol. The team provided their contact number in case a need for police assistance or emergency," the EPD said in its statement.
The photo of the officers taken during the event was then posted on the social media page of the networking company without the officers' knowledge.
On June 26, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Sec. Benhur Abalos ordered an investigation regarding the incident.
"Nag-isyu na ako ng direktiba sa Hepe ng Philippine National Police para agarang imbestigahan ito. Aasahan ko ang ulat ng PNP sa lalong madaling panahon (I have directed the chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) (Gen. Rommel Marbil) to immediately investigate this. I expect to get a report from the PNP at the soonest possible time)," Abalos said.
He stressed that the DILG will not tolerate the deployment of police personnel as private escorts or for purely private purposes.
"Rest assured that under my watch, our police force is and will remain laser-focused on their legal mandate to ensure peace and order," the secretary stressed.