PNP chief orders faster probe of 8 cops in Pasig City robbery
Acting Philippine National Police chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. ordered the agency’s internal watchdog to speed up the investigation into eight Eastern Police District (EPD) officers accused of robbing a Pasig City home.
The officers supposedly entered the house in Barangay Palatiw last Friday searching for a drug suspect, but the residents claimed that the cops also took personal belongings and the initial investigation showed the operatives did not present official documents.
Eight antinarcotics police officers were arrested after allegedly robbing a house during the arrest of nine drug suspects in Pasig City, Police Maj. Gen. Anthony Aberin, regional director of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), said on Saturday.
“The Internal Affairs Service (IAS), in coordination with the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), is directed to fast-track the investigation and determine appropriate administrative and criminal charges that will be filed against the EPD operatives,” Nartatez said in a statement on Sunday.
“If proven to have committed this serious offense, I will make sure that they will not only be dismissed from the service, they will spend jail time too,” he stressed.
Citing initial reports, Aberin said “the personnel allegedly entered a residential house in search of a suspected drug personality, during which the occupants later reported the alleged taking of personal belongings, prompting them to seek police assistance.”
Aberin said Pasig City Police Station personnel immediately acted after the complaint, which led to the detention of the police personnel.
Furthermore, authorities learned that no official documents were presented to support the claim that the action was a “legitimate anti-illegal drugs operation” against the suspects, who are also under police custody.
The NCRPO said there were fewer theft incidents and more online scam cases monitored over the 2025 holidays.
NCRPO spokesperson Maj. Hazel Asilo told the Inquirer that theft cases dropped by 18.02 percent from Dec. 1 to Dec. 23, 2025, compared to the same period last year.
Likewise, robbery cases dropped by 4.35 percent, Asilo further noted.
New recruits
On Friday, Nartatez urged new police recruits to maintain discipline and uphold the integrity of the police organization.
“Focus on training, uphold integrity, and make the most of this chance to serve the public with honor,” Nartatez said.
Nartatez made the remarks during the ceremony at Camp Crame, which also saw the symbolic turnover of salary ATM cards to 820 new recruits.
He also noted that President Marcos signed Executive Order No. 107 on Dec. 3, authorizing a 15 percent salary hike and increased allowances for uniformed personnel, including the PNP.
“With your increased pay and allowances, you have a great opportunity to build a stable and respected career,” Nartatez said. “One wrong decision can jeopardize both your future and the benefits you’ve earned.”
