By Ferdinand Patinio
MANILA – Seven members of the Manila Police District-Drug Enforcement Unit (MPD-DEU) have been relieved following allegations of extortion and misconduct.
Upon Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso’s order on Friday, MPD chief Brig. Gen. Arnold Abad relieved 7 DEU officers and directed them to report to the Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit.
Domagoso said he issued the directive to help restore public confidence in law enforcement as the case undergoes investigation.
“Walang lugar ang mga tolongges sa Lungsod ng Maynila, kahit pa sa hanay ng kapulisan (Those who commit wrongdoings have no place in the city of Manila),” he said in a statement.
“Kapag mali, mali. Hindi natin puwedeng palusutin ang mga abusado, lalo na kung ang ordinaryong tao ang pinahihirapan (If it’s wrong, it’s wrong. We will not tolerate those who are abusive, especially if they victimize ordinary people).”
The order came after one of two motorcycle delivery riders, identified in his affidavit as “Chester,” sought help from the National Police Commission (Napolcom), saying he and a companion were arbitrarily arrested by seven MPD operatives in Sampaloc on Sept. 9.
Chester said he and his friend were handcuffed and detained from 3 p.m. until nearly 1 a.m. the following day. He said he managed to escape but claimed that the officers took PHP9,000 from his virtual wallet account and seized his companion’s motorcycle.
On the other hand, Napolcom Commissioner Vicente Calinisan expressed concern over discrepancies between the riders’ sworn statements and the police report, as the victims claimed alleged extortion and illegal detention, while the MPD-DEU report dated Sept. 10 stated that the two men were arrested on drug-related charges.
As a result of the complaint, seven police officers — a police major, two master sergeants, two staff sergeants, a corporal and a patrolman — are facing multiple administrative charges including grave misconduct, grave irregularity in the performance of duty, and conduct unbecoming of a police officer. (PNA)
