10 Taguig cops relieved from posts over alleged illegitimate search warrant

Ten cops including the commander of Tipas Police Substation have been relieved from post for allegedly serving an illegitimate search warrant to an individual in Taguig City, according to a report of Nico Waje on GMA Integrated News’ Unang Balita Wednesday.

CCTV footage showed the cops in civilian clothes entering a store and serving a supposed search warrant to a woman who had been charged over illegal drugs but was acquitted and released in 2022.

"Bale base po sa imbestigasyon po natin at personal ko rin pong nakausap 'yung biktima, lumalabas po na wala pong warrant o walang authority 'yung mga pulis na pumasok sa bahay nila,” Taguig City Police chief Police Colonel Joey Goforth said.

(Nevertheless, based on our investigation and I personally spoke with the victim, it appears that the police did not have a warrant or authority to enter their house.)

According to Goforth, it appears that the cops would ask for money in exchange for the release of the arrested individual.

The cops were seen pushing and grabbing some family members during their illegitimate operation. The cops also damaged the CCTVs, according to one of the victims.

"Pagdating ko nga po nagsisigawan na po mga kapatid ko. Tapos nakita ko po may mga pulis sa bahay, mga naka-jacket po. Sabi ko, 'Ano po'ng ginagawa ninyo sa bahay namin? Bakit po ganiyan? Bakit sinira ninyo po ang mga CCTV namin? Ano pa pong panlaban namin?,” said Ren, not her real name.

(When I arrived, my siblings were already shouting. Then I saw there were policemen in the house, wearing jackets. I said, "What are you doing in our house? Why are you doing that? Why did you destroy our CCTVs? What else do we have to defend ourselves.")

"Tapos sabi nila, 'Eh ayaw ninyong tumigil eh. Ang daming nagtuturo sa inyo, ganiyan.Nagbebenta raw kayo ng ano,” she recalled the police saying.

(Then they said, 'You don't want to stop. Many people were reporting you. They say you're selling,’” she added.

One of the victims said a cop hit him on his stomach.

"Namimilipit po halos hindi na makalakad. Hindi ko na po alam gagawin ko, kasi sabi niya, 'Pa, sinikmuraan ako ng mga pulis,” Ren said.

(He was curling up and could hardly walk. I didn't know what to do, because he said, 'Pa, the police hit me on my stomach.’)

Southern Police District (SPD) spokesperson Police Major Hazel Asilo said the cops committed several violations.

"Unang-una po may violation na po agad 'yung ating mga nagse-serve ng warrant kasi dapat po, nagpakilala sila kung sino sila at saka po dapat naka-uniform po sila 'pag sine-serve, ini-implement natin 'yung search warrant. Nakita natin na nagkaroon ng abuse doon sa kanilang pagse-serve,” Asilo said.

(First, we saw that those who served the warrant committed violation because they should have identified who they are and they should be in uniform. We saw that there was abuse when they served it.)

Before this, Ren said their family experienced a similar incident on February 2. Her brother was arrested allegedly over illegal drugs and possession of firearms.

"Sabi po sa ate ko, kung may P25,000 daw po ang ate ko, makakalaya raw po ang kuya ko. Maaareglo daw po,” Ren said.

(They told my sister, if my sister has P25,000, my brother can be released. It can be arranged.)

Her brother is still detained because they were not able to provide the amount.

“Tapusin lang po namin ito na i-file at bubuksan po namin ang kaso 'yung nababanggit nila na sinabi na naaresto po 'yung anak nila at allegedly nagha-haggle sila ng price para pakawalan po,” Goforth said.

(Let's just finish filing this one and we'll open the case they mentioned that their son was arrested and the cops were allegedly haggling for a price to release him.)

The 10 relieved cops have been disarmed and may face charges for grave abuse of authority, according to Taguig City Police.

The involved police personnel have yet to provide a statement on the matter.—Joviland Rita/AOL, GMA Integrated News