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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider HPG sacks personnel over confrontation with BOC men in Bulacan

HPG sacks personnel over confrontation with BOC men in Bulacan

Published Aug 22, 2026 10:55 pm
The Highway Patrol Group of the Philippine National Police (PNP-HPG) ordered the relief of all its personnel involved in a raid in Bulacan where personnel of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) were then destroying smuggled cigarettes that were confiscated in a recent operation. 
In a statement, HPG director Brig. Gen Rommel S. Batangan said the relief order is part of the ongoing investigation into the allegation of confrontation between his men and BOC personnel.
“The PNP-HPG recognizes the seriousness of the allegations and has taken immediate steps to ensure that the incident is properly investigated,” said Batangan in a statement.
That immediate step was the relief of at least 12 HPG personnel assigned to the National Capital Region who allegedly took part in the operation in a compound in Bulacan at a time when BOC personnel were destroying smuggled cigarettes that the latter seized.
It was not immediately clear why the HPG-NCR personnel raided the area but Batangan vowed to dig deeper into the incident.
All the relieved HPG-NCR personnel were reassigned to the Human Resource Management and Doctrine Development Division-Personnel Holding and Accounting Section.
The order took effect on August 20, “to give way to an impartial investigation.”
“Appropriate action will be taken based on the findings, in accordance with due process,’ said Batangan.

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