Manila: Nineteen more members of the Manila Police District-Drug Enforcement Unit (MPD-DEU) were relieved over allegations of extortion and misconduct, an official said on Monday. MPD public information chief and spokesperson Maj. Philipp Ines stated that the officers were ordered to report to the MPD’s administrative holding unit as an internal investigation got underway.
According to Philippines News Agency, investigations by the National Police Commission (Napolcom) and the MPD internal affairs are ongoing, following renewed public concern over alleged abuses by police officers. Ines clarified that the two male riders who filed complaints of illegal arrest and extortion before the Napolcom were, in fact, apprehended during an anti-drug operation by the MPD-DEU. They were arrested for allegedly delivering and possessing illegal drugs in Sampaloc on September 9.
Ines reported that the complainant was found with 120 grams of shabu and four sachets of marijuana kush but managed to escape. One of the suspects, referred to as “Chester,” later lodged a complaint with Napolcom, accusing several DDEU officers of illegal detention and extortion. His complaint led to the relief of seven MPD-DEU officers.
Napolcom Commissioner Vicente Calinisan noted discrepancies between the riders’ sworn statements and the police report, highlighting the victims’ claims of extortion and illegal detention. In contrast, the MPD-DEU report dated September 10 stated the two were arrested on drug-related charges. The officers face multiple administrative charges, including grave misconduct, grave irregularity in the performance of duty, and conduct unbecoming of police officers.