No top cops in unlawful arrest of Chinese national

SUSPECTS. The mug shots of eight members of the Eastern Police District-Special Operations Unit who are facing criminal and administrative charges for allegedly robbing a Chinese businessman of PHP85 million under the guise of a police operation on April 2, 2025. Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Monday (April 7) said no top police officials were involved in the unlawful operation. (DILG Photo via PNA)

By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – No top officials of the Philippine National Police (PNP) were involved in an unauthorized operation in Las Piñas City where cops allegedly stole PHP85 million from a Chinese businessman.

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said Monday said the eight members of the District Special Operations Unit (DSOU) of the Eastern Police District (EPD) are already detained.

They are facing criminal and administrative charges, including robbery, serious illegal detention and kidnapping, and unlawful arrest.

PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil already ordered the relief of EPD Director Brig. Gen. Villamor Tuliao, citing “grave leadership failure,” and the entire DSOU following the unauthorized April 2 operation.

He said those involved must be summarily dismissed from the service and permanently disqualified from holding any position in government.

“Wala, wala kaming information [of PNP top official involved]. Ito sa tingin ko mga rouge cops lang talaga na sila sila ang nag-uusap kung ano gagawin (No, we have no information. I think these are just rouge cops discussing what to do),” Remulla said in a press conference in Quezon City.

National Capital Region Police Office deputy chief for administration Brig. Gen. Rogelio Peñones Jr. said they havd already filed criminal charges against the eight cops before the Las Piñas prosecutors’ office.

During the investigation, Peñones noted some glaring discrepancies that are considered violations of police operational procedures.

“Kami ay naniniwala na talagang pagnanakaw ‘yun dahil ‘yung sinerve nilang warrant, disguise lang ‘yun para ma-justify yung presence nila pero kapag titingnan natin, the ultimate motive is pagnanakaw lang talaga (We believe that it was indeed a robbery because the warrant they served was just a disguise to justify their presence but when we look at it, the ultimate motive was really just robbery),” Peñones said.

The victim and the relatives claimed the EPD cops shut down their closed-circuit television (CCTV), forcibly opened their vaults, and took away their money, jewelry, gadgets, and other personal belongings.

PNP-Internal Affairs Service Inspector General Brigido Dulay also noted grave breaches of police operational procedures based on the sworn statement of the victim and other witnesses.

“The brazenness of this operation — from the absence of body-worn camera recordings, to the deliberate destruction of CCTV cameras and footage, and the failure to promptly surrender and account for confiscated items — shows a blatant disregard for the law and police procedures,” Dulay said.

“We will leave no stone unturned in this investigation. All those involved — whether as perpetrators, accomplices, or negligent superiors — will be unmasked.”

Marbil called on all officers to uphold the highest standards of integrity and accountability in their service to the nation.

“When we entered the service, our last name became our first name — and our last name is the Philippine National Police. Every action we take reflects not only on ourselves but on the entire organization,” Marbil said during the flag-raising ceremony at Camp Crame.

He said a single act of misconduct by one officer could tarnish the reputation of the entire police force and erode the public’s trust.

“Let us take care of our uniform. Let us police our own ranks. Remind those who err before it becomes too late,” he said.