9 Taguig cops relieved over viral video of house search
Nine members of the Taguig Police were relieved from their duties after a viral video showed cops entering a home, shoving a woman, and trying to arrest a young man.
The post was originally made by a certain Cloe Amore on Facebook that became viral.
In one CCTV footage dated Feb. 9, the Taguig cops entered the home in Barangay Napindan and tried to apprehend a young man. One police officer is seen showing the mother a document. He then got her cell phone and shoved her. He also got the cell phone of a young woman.
The Southern Police District (SPD), which supervises the Taguig Police, issued a statement on Feb. 11.
Screenshots from the CCTV footage of Taguig cops entering a house in Barangay Napindan (Screenshots from a video uploaded by Red Ruiz on Facebook)
“The Taguig City Police Station is conducting a thorough and impartial investigation following serious allegations raised in a viral Facebook post by Cloe Amore,” the SPD said.
Col. Joey Goforth is the chief of Taguig Police.
It added, “The post contains video footage and accusations of unauthorized searches, damage to property, and mistreatment of residents during a police operation in Brgy. Napindan, Taguig City.”
According to the SPD, Brig. Gen. Manuel Abrugena “condemns any form of misconduct and swiftly acted to ensure a fair investigation.”
“Nine police officers assigned to Sub-Station 5, including their commander, have been immediately relieved from their duties and reassigned to the Admin Holding Section of Taguig CPS while the investigation is underway,” it said.
The SPD added, “Additionally, the officers involved will undergo a pre-charge investigation. We urge witnesses or anyone with relevant information to step forward and cooperate with the investigation. The Southern Police District assures the public that due process will be strictly followed, and if warranted, appropriate disciplinary actions will be instituted.”
The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) also issued a statement, saying, “The NCRPO will be merciless against erring police personnel who will be proven to have committed human rights abuses and other irregularities in the recent incident in Taguig City, going viral in social media.”
“We reiterate: NCRPO does not and will not tolerate any misconduct or abuse of power by any member of the police force. Strict adherence to the police procedures and observance of the rule of law are non-negotiable and any transgression will be dealt with severely,” it said.
It added. “A comprehensive but swift investigation is ongoing to determine the facts and circumstances surrounding the case, identify police personnel who abused their authority, police procedures violated and to institute more effective measures to avoid these kind of incidents in the future.”
“Those who abused their authority and committed violations of the Police Operational Procedures will be dismissed from the service, demoted or suspended, depending on the result of the investigation, strictly observing due process of law for all parties involved,” it said.
The NCRPO said criminal cases will be filed.
“The firearms of the personnel involved in the operations were also deposited to their unit assignments. There is no room for abuses in NCRPO and we will ensure that justice will be served. NCRPO assures the public of our strong and uncompromising adherence to the rule of law, transparency and professionalism,” the NCRPO said.
The statements about the incident by the SPD and NCRPO