The National Police Commission (Napolcom) dismissed 11 personnel of the Regional Drug Enforcement Unit of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) after finding them liable for kidnapping and other grave administrative offenses linked to the disappearance of missing sabungeros.

In a decision by the Commission En Banc, the officers were held responsible for two counts of grave misconduct and two counts of conduct unbecoming of a police officer, which carried the penalty of dismissal from the service with accessory penalties.

Dismissed were Police Lieutenant Colonel Ryan Jay E. Orapa, Police Major Mark Phillip S. Almedilla, Police Senior Master Sergeant Mark Anthony A. Manrique, Police Staff Sergeants Edmon H. Muñoz, Robert Allan E. Raz Jr., and Denar S. Roda; Police Corporals Alric M. Natividad, Reynaldo G. Seno Jr., and Ronald John V. Lanaria; and Patrolmae Rufino Miguel D. Panghulan and Develyn M. Tapalla.

The case stemmed from complaints filed on September 3, 2025 by Milagros Estacio and Elizabeth Sotto, whoc accused the police officers of abducting their sons during separate anti-drug operations in 2021.

They also raised possible links to the disappearance of several “sabungeros,” prompting calls for a deeper investigation.

“May due process tayo dito sa Napolcom. Hindi natin puwedeng paghaluin ang mga kaso. Kailangan nating tingnan nang hiwa-hiwalay, base sa ebidensya (We observe due process here at Napolcom. We cannot mix the cases together. We need to examine them separately, based on the evidence,” Napolcom Commissioner Rafael Vicente R. Calinisan said on Friday, May 1.

Citing records, the Napolcom said that the respondents allegedly abducted Dane Mark M. Carlos on February 17, 2021 in Manila; while on March 24, 2021 in Las Piñas City, they also allegedly kidnapped Charles Dean Sotto.

According to Napolcom, investigators found the acts were carried out in conspiracy.

“These acts constitute serious violations under Napolcom Memorandum Circular No. 2016-002,” the Napolcom said.

The ruling underscored that kidnapping is classified as a grave offense and is punishable under Article 267 of the Revised Penal Code, involving unlawful deprivation of liberty, which strikes at a fundamental constitutional right.

“Kapag ang pulis mismo ang lumalabag sa batas at umaabuso sa kapangyarihan, mas mabigat ang pananagutan. Hindi natin hahayaan na gamitin ang uniporme para manakot, mang-api, o manlamang sa kapwa (When it is the police themselves who break the law and abuse their power, the accountability is heavier. We will not allow the uniform to be used to intimidate, oppress, or take advantage of others),” Calinisan said.

The Commission noted that the officers acted under color of authority while in active service. Their actions, it said, dishonored the Philippine National Police and showed “corrupt and unworthy moral character incompatible with public service.”

The Napolcom said the decision formed part of its effort to cleanse police ranks as it vowed to hold abusive officers accountable and rebuild public trust.