Six police officers from the Malate Police Station were arrested after being involved in a series of incidents of holdup and robbery on Arsonvel Street, Barangay San Isidro, Makati. The first incident occurred on Wednesday, January 28, at around 7:48 p.m., and another incident on Saturday, January 24, according to a report by NCRPO chief PMGen Anthony Aberin.
According to witnesses, the 55-year-old victim, Manuel, was just leaving his house to buy rice when the suspects approached him. They allegedly burned his skin with a lighter before taking away his P700 and cellphone. “I was just about to buy rice, when they suddenly arrived. One took my money, the other tried to open my GCash. I said, 'it's empty, sir,'” said Manuel.
Rose Marie, a witness, recounted the violence the victim experienced. “She was threatened, punched, and her money and cellphone were taken. Someone with me said, ‘That’s my uncle, don’t do it.’ She was cursed at and forced,” added Rose Marie. It turns out that she was also victimized on January 24, along with another 57-year-old man. The suspects allegedly entered the house, identified themselves as police officers, and had guns. They took P50,000, $9,000, a wallet, and a cellphone.
The Makati PNP tracked down the suspects after residents called their hotline. CCTV caught the suspects arriving on five motorcycles. The six suspects, including a police sergeant, are currently in police custody, and the five motorcycles and stolen cellphones were recovered. However, only P12,000 was found from the stolen cash.
According to NCRPO director Maj. Gen. Anthony Aberin, apart from the arrests, the station commander of the Malate Police Station and the entire Station Drug Enforcement Unit were removed from their posts. “Six police officers were involved, and will be subject to investigation for command responsibility. We will not tolerate such an incident, and no police officer
