Acting Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. has ordered the PNP Internal Affairs Service (IAS) to expedite its investigation into eight police officers accused of robbery during a recent operation in Pasig City.
The officers, all members of the Eastern Police District (EPD) Drug Enforcement Unit, allegedly entered a residence in Barangay Palatiw on Friday, Dec. 26, under the guise of a drug raid.
While the operatives claimed to be searching for a drug suspect, the homeowners reported that the group instead made off with personal belongings, including jewelry valued at approximately ₱500,000 and several motorcycle keys.
The victims immediately sought help from the Pasig City Police Station.
A subsequent verification by the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) revealed that the eight officers failed to present any official documents or mission orders to prove the operation was legitimate.
In a statement issued Sunday, Nartatez directed the IAS to work closely with the NCRPO to fast-track administrative and criminal charges.
“If proven to have committed this serious offense, I will make sure that they will not only be dismissed from the service, they will spend jail time too,” Nartatez said, warning that “this kind of practice will no longer be tolerated under the new PNP.”
The eight officers have been disarmed and placed under restrictive custody at the Pasig City Police Station.
They were positively identified by the complainants during a confrontation on Saturday and are currently awaiting inquest proceedings.
While the identities of the officers have not yet been officially released, authorities confirmed that nine drug suspects were also taken into custody during the incident.
Police are now investigating whether the arrests were used as a cover for the alleged robbery.