Robbery complaint filed vs cops in alleged looting in Cavite

A robbery complaint has been filed against the police officers who allegedly looted the house of a drug suspect during an operation in Imus, Cavite, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Thursday.

“Kahapon ay naisampa na rin po yung kasong robbery at yung mismong hinuli nila sa sinasabi po nilang drug operation ang nagsilbi pong complainant,” PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo said in an interview on GMA Integrated News’ Unang Balita.

(Yesterday, a robbery complaint was filed by the person they arrested during the operation.)

Eight police officers and their team leader are facing administrative cases as well, according to Fajardo.

Imus chief of police Lieutenant Colonel Michael Batoctoy is also facing an administrative case for command responsibility over his failure to supervise his subordinates.

Some police officers allegedly looted the house of 67-year-old Rebecca Caoile, a former professor, in Barangay Alapan 1-A during a buy-bust operation.

In a CCTV footage, the cops were seen carrying some items from the house including a tire and a motorcycle rim. Caoile's son said the cops also robbed his savings worth P80,000, his laptop, and tools.

According to Fajardo, the concerned cops neither had a search warrant nor arrest warrant for the operation. —Joviland Rita/ VAL, GMA Integrated News