Manila, Philippines — Four members of the Philippine National Police (PNP), including the chief of Police of the San Rafael Municipal Police Station, have been relieved from their posts following the viral incident involving the alleged illegal arrest attempt of a businessman in Baliwag, Bulacan.
Police Colonel Marlon R. Santos, Senior Police Assistant at the Office of the Ex-Officio Commissioner of National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM,) said the four officers are currently under detention at the Baliwag Police Station and are facing complaints for attempted kidnapping, physical injuries, unjust vexation, and slander by deed.
The officers were identified as Police Master Sergeant Adonis Castro E. Obinita, Police Master Sergeant Joel Ladores E. Guiteriz, Police Top Sergeant Julio De Guzman, and the chief of the San Rafael Municipal Police Station, who allegedly led the operation.
According to the complainant, identified only by the alias “Jun,” the incident happened at around 12:30 p.m. while he was working at his restaurant. He said a man approached him and claimed that his vehicle had been involved in a collision. Jun then went outside with one of his employees to inspect the alleged damage.
However, while checking his vehicle, several men allegedly surrounded him and attempted to force him to come with them.
“Wala silang ipinakitang pagkakakilanlan. Hindi ko sila kilala. Pinipilit nila akong sumama at sinasabi nilang may warrant daw ako at may kaso. Pero hindi nila ako binasahan ng Miranda rights,” Jun recounted.
He said the alleged arrest attempt was unsuccessful after bystanders gathered at the scene. Jun then asked if he could retrieve his identification card from inside his restaurant to prove his identity. According to him, it was only then that one of the men identified himself as a police officer, although no police identification card was presented.
NAPOLCOM Vice Chairman and Executive Officer Ralph Calinisan said the commission found several irregularities in the operation based on its ongoing investigation.
Among the issues cited were the officers’ alleged failure to identify themselves as police officers, the apparent lack of proper verification of the suspect’s identity, the failure to inform the complainant of his Miranda rights, and the absence of coordination with the Baliwag Police Station despite the operating officers being from the San Rafael Municipal Police Station.
Calinisan also stressed that NAPOLCOM is not limiting its investigation to the possibility of mistaken identity.
“Sa ngayon, tinitingnan namin ang lahat ng anggulo. Bukod sa sinasabing mistaken identity, maaari ring may iba pang motibo gaya ng extortion. Hindi namin isinasara ang anumang posibilidad habang nagpapatuloy ang imbestigasyon,” Calinisan said.
The NAPOLCOM official also encouraged the public to file complaints if they believe their rights have been violated by any member of the police force.
“Hindi kailangan ng backer o kakilala. Bukas ang NAPOLCOM sa lahat ng ordinaryong mamamayan. Tayo ang police of the police at patuloy naming pananagutin ang mga tiwaling pulis,” Calinisan said.
Despite the incident, the complainant said he still maintains his trust in the Philippine National Police hoping justice will be served.—Graciella Diez, Contributor