Imus police chief sacked over looting at drug suspect's home

The chief of police of Imus, Cavite was relieved from his post after a video of nine police officers ransacking the residence of a drug suspect went viral on social media.

Lieutenant Colonel Michael Batoctoy received the relief report on Tuesday afternoon, according to Jun Veneracion’s report on “24 Oras."

Batoctoy said he accepted the decision as it is a part of the administrative investigation of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

A CCTV video showed the nine members of the PNP Drug Enforcement Group (PNP-DEG) Unit, who were in civilian clothes, forcibly entering the house of 67-year-old Rebecca Caoile, a former professor, in Barangay Alapan 1-A for a buy-bust operation.

Caoile was heard screaming for help before the police officers entered her residence. Other cops who remained outside were seen tinkering with a parked motorcycle and the video ended with the PNP-DEG officers carrying some items from the house including a tire and a motorcycle rim.

They also arrested the drug suspect.

Cavite PPO director Colonel Bernard Christopher Olazo said the cops were removed from their duties and will be charged with criminal and administrative cases.

“Nakita po natin na pagkatapos nila mag conduct ng operation nagawa nilang pagnakawan pa yung nahuli nilang suspek sa illegal na droga,” said Olazo.

(We saw that they robbed the house after the operation.)

Juan Caoile, the suspect’s son, said the cops also robbed his savings worth P80,000, his laptop, and tools. He also accused the police of planting the drug evidence and conducting the operation without a search warrant.

“Tinalo pa nga ho nila ang kriminal kasi ang kriminal hindi ganoon magnakaw patago. Eh sila, harap-harapan. Broad daylight,” said Juan.

(They are worse than thieves. At least criminals rob secretly but they did it in broad daylight.)

The Imus City police denied the allegations and said the suspect was under the barangay’s drug watchlist. More than P100,000 worth of shabu was also recovered from the suspect.

However, the spot report on the incident indicated the buy-bust operation was conducted on August 2 at 8 p.m.

Asked for his comment, Olazo said authorities will continue investigating the incident.—Sundy Locus/LDF, GMA Integrated News