IAS Inspector General Brigido Dulay
The Internal Affairs Service of the Philippine National Police (PNP-IAS) is eyeing the involvement of more policemen in the P85 million robbery case in Las Piñas City which was allegedly perpetrated by eight lawmen under the guise of serving an arrest warrant.
IAS Inspector General Brigido Dulay said the initial investigation they conducted revealed glaring and grave violations of police operational procedures—from the absence of body-worn camera recordings, to the deliberate destruction of CCTV cameras and footages, and the failure to promptly surrender and account for confiscated items.
“Preliminary findings indicate that the illegal operations may involve more than the eight DSOU personnel directly implicated in the case,” said Dulay.
“We are now looking into the possible command responsibility of senior officers who may have tolerated, condoned, or failed to prevent these unlawful acts,” he added.
A total of 31 policemen were already sacked from their posts after the April 2 operation in an exclusive subdivision in Las Piñas City which was discovered after the Chinese businessman lodged a complaint over the incident.
The Chinese businessman said the eight policemen took his vault and forced him to open it at gunpoint.
Metro Manila police chief Maj. Gen. Anthony A. Aberin said the eight policemen, assigned to the Eastern Police District- District Special Operations Unit, were already charged with robbery, illegal arrest, kidnapping and serious illegal detention.
Aberin added that the eight policemen are currently detained at the Las Piñas City custodial facility.
Dulay, for his part, said they are now conducting its pre-charge investigation and is preparing to file formal administrative charges against the involved operatives and officers.
AWOL
Aberin said the head of the EPD-DSOU has not yet surfaced since the incident, adding that the official went on AWOL (absent without official leave).
“He went AWOL. A return to work order was already issued to him,” said Aberin.
Dulay said the initial investigation they conducted revealed a blatant disregard for the law and police procedures.
“We will leave no stone unturned in this investigation. All those involved — whether as perpetrators, accomplices, or negligent superiors — will be unmasked and made to face the full force of the law. We will not tolerate criminal behavior in the ranks of our police force,” said Dulay.
“As PNP chief Rommel Marbil pointed out, this is not just a case of rogue elements; this points to a systemic failure in supervision and accountability,” he added.
Dulay also called on the public to come forward with any information related to the incident or other similar cases.
Recovery efforts
For his part, NCRPO deputy regional director for Administration Brig. Gen. Rogelio Penones Jr. said efforts are now under way to account for all the reported missing items.
Aside from cash from different currencies, the Chinese businessman also reported that the eight cops took his personal valuables that include expensive watches.
Around P12 million cash was recovered but the eight cops earlier claimed that the money will be used as evidence since the Chinese businessman tried to bribe them.
“On the part of the NCRPO and EPD, we are continuously exerting all the efforts to recover all the missing items,” said Penones.