Napolcom-6 orders pre-charge probe of 15 Iloilo cops

By Jennifer P. Rendon

ILOILO CITY — The National Police Commission (Napolcom) 6 has referred the cases of 15 police personnel involved in the controversial raid at Iloilo City Police Station 4 (ICPS 4) for a pre-charge investigation.

Napolcom-6 spokesperson Michelle Benitez-Yotoko said the police personnel include ICPS 4 chief Capt. Ryan Christ Inot, 13 of his personnel, and one member of the Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit (RPDEU) 6.

Yotoko said the move was made to determine whether there is probable cause to file administrative cases against the 15 personnel.

During its motu proprio investigation, Napolcom-6 asked ICPS 4 and the Philippine National Police Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group (IMEG) to submit the documents and evidence they had gathered.

The Special Action Force (SAF) was also directed to submit documents and testimonies regarding the July 1 IMEG operation at the ICPS 4 office.

“From what we have gathered, nakitaan sang liability ang ICPS 4,” Yotoko said.

On the other hand, the IMEG-led operation appeared to be “in place.”

During the motu proprio probe, Yotoko noted the presence of an RPDEU-6 personnel whose role is being examined.

The investigation also indicated the possible presence of a “wanted former policeman” inside the ICPS 4 facility based on the CCTV footage gathered.

“We also tend to believe that the wanted ex-policeman was indeed utilized in ICPS 4’s anti-illegal drug operations,” Yotoko added.

She said the pre-charge investigation would pave the way for a more thorough probe to determine whether irregularities or violations had been committed.

Yotoko, however, declined to discuss the possible criminal cases that civilian complainants may file against IMEG personnel.

Heavily armed IMEG personnel, backed by SAF troopers, raided ICPS 4 on July 1 following a tip that a wanted former police officer was hiding inside the station.

However, alias Jerry, the former police officer, was not found inside the police station.

Instead, he surrendered shortly after midnight on July 5 to Police Regional Office 6 acting director Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño.

At the time of the raid, ICPS 4 personnel were preparing for a planned anti-illegal drug operation.

IMEG personnel allegedly ordered their fellow police officers to lie on the floor and temporarily disarmed them.

They also allegedly confiscated their mobile phones.

The operation resulted in several tense moments.

A barangay official and a local media reporter who were at the station as witnesses for a planned buy-bust operation were also allegedly held at gunpoint.

However, after a thorough search of the station, the target fugitive was not found.

The operation later triggered multiple investigations to determine whether operational lapses or other irregularities had occurred.