The Rizal Police Provincial Office (Rizal PPO) on Tuesday, Feb. 10, said that 10 personnel of the Angono Police Station have been placed under administrative relief and disarmed for their alleged involvement in a fake drug arrest and extortion of a criminology student.

The National Police Commission (Napolcom) is reviewing a complaint against the officers for alleged grave misconduct and conduct unbecoming of a police officer, after the student filed a complaint against them before the agency's Inspection, Monitoring, and Investigation Service (IMIS).

The incident occurred on Nov. 10, 2025, with the involved officers claiming that the arrest of the complainant was part of a buy-bust operation around 10 p.m.

However, Napolcom said CCTV footage showed that as early as 5 p.m., the officers first arrested two individuals for alleged illegal drugs, and a few minutes later, the complainant was passing through the area riding his motorcycle when he was suddenly also arrested.

During a press briefing at the Napolcom central office, the complainant said a civilian-dressed police officer blocked him and forced him into a vehicle while he was passing through the area. Inside, he saw the two individuals previously arrested and was pressured to admit he was supplying them with drugs, which he denied.

He claimed that the officers abused him until he admitted to the allegation just to avoid further harm and took his gold ring, which he said was a gift from his late mother.

He also alleged that the officers demanded P50,000 as an informal settlement, which his family sent via e-wallet. Despite this, a criminal case was filed against him, and he was detained for two months.

In January this year, the complainant was released after the criminal case against him was dismissed due to inconsistencies in affidavits.

“The criminal case was later dismissed by the prosecutor after finding inconsistencies between the affidavits of the arresting officers and the statements of barangay tanod and media representatives, who clarified they only witnessed the inventory and were not present during the arrest,” Napolcom said.

Napolcom Commissioner Ralph Calinisan said the commission will act decisively and has directed IMIS to immediately investigate the complaint.

“Kapag ang kapangyarihan ay ginamit para manakot at mangikil, malinaw na abuso ito. Tatamaan ang dapat tamaan. Walang puwang sa serbisyo-pulis ang pang-aabuso at pangingikil (When power is used to intimidate and extort, it is clearly an abuse. Those responsible must be held accountable. There is no place in the police service for abuse and extortion),” Calinisan said.

The Rizal PPO said it fully respects the authority and jurisdiction of the Napolcom over administrative disciplinary matters involving their personnel.

“We assure the public that the concerned personnel have already been placed under administrative relief, are under restrictive custody at the Personnel Holding and Accounting Section (PHAS), and have been disarmed in order to ensure an impartial and unhampered investigation,” it stated.

In addition, Rizal PPO said it is also conducting its own parallel fact-finding and coordinating closely with Napolcom to establish the truth, determine individual accountability, and uphold due process, saying these measures are being undertaken to preserve the integrity of the investigation and maintain public trust in the police organization.

"Should the investigation establish liability, appropriate administrative and criminal charges shall be filed in accordance with existing laws, rules, and regulations,” it said.

It also vowed to remain steadfast in its mission to serve and protect, guided by the principles of transparency, integrity, and justice, toward a safer, stronger, and more peaceful Rizal.

Authorities urged the public to stay calm, avoid spreading unverified information, and allow investigators to carry out their work without interference.