Six police officers from the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) have been placed under restrictive custody and are facing criminal charges for allegedly stealing P13.4 million in seized evidence money.
The missing funds were part of a total of over P 141 million confiscated during a raid on a Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) in Bataan in October 2024.
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla announced the development, explaining that the discrepancy was discovered after a court ordered the return of the money, having ruled the original operation illegal.
“Upon the opening of the evidence, out of P141 million, only P128 million was left. What was left on the other box was boodle money, fake money,” Secretary Remulla said, confirming that the chain of custody investigation identified the culprits.
CIDG chief Maj. Gen. Robert Alexander Morico noted that the theft was uncovered following a proactive inventory of all evidence. The investigation also revealed that a previous evidence custodian had taken home nine boxes of cash, which were later returned.
The six police personnel—Pat. Rolman Andaya, Executive M/Sgt. Erick Castro, Senior M/Sgt. Michael Camillo, Pat. Kenji Francisco, Pat. Jesus Fulgencio, and Pat. Raymark Solas—have been charged with serious crimes. These include Qualified Theft, Malversation of Public Funds, Falsification of Public Documents, and Illegal Possession or Use of False Treasury Notes. They will also face administrative charges such as Grave Misconduct and Serious Dishonesty.
National Police Commission (Napolcom) Vice Chairperson Rafael Vicente Calinisan commended the PNP leadership for their “prompt” action in uncovering the crime, stressing that there is no place for corrupt officers within the police service.