PNP chief sacks Eastern Police head over Las Piñas operation
Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Rommel Marbil on Saturday relieved Eastern Police District (EPD) chief Gen. Villamor Tuliao and his entire District Special Operations Unit (DSOU) following allegations of extortion and gross misconduct.
“This is no longer just about rogue officers, Marbil said. “It is a failure of leadership. When discipline collapses, it begins at the top. Leaders will be held to the highest standards of accountability.”
According to the PNP chief, “there will be no second chances” and if Tuliao is found liable under the principle of command responsibility, “he will never be trusted with any position of leadership again.”
“Those involved must be summarily dismissed from the service and permanently disqualified from holding any position in government,” he said.
Metro Manila police chief Maj. Gen. Anthony Aberin said charges of robbery, serious illegal detention and unlawful arrest were filed against eight of the DSOU’s 31 personnel.
The charges filed were on top of the administrative charges against the policemen, who now face summary dismissal from the service and possibly perpetual disqualification from government positions.
The PNP said its Internal Affairs Service (IAS) and the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) have been directed to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation.
In a statement on Saturday, the PNP said the eight DSOU personnel were already detained “after being linked to alleged extortion and serious procedural irregularities” in an operation that was not even conducted in their jurisdiction.
A police report obtained by the Inquirer showed that the eight policemen stole cash and valuables such as P27 million pesos, $430,000, 110,000 Malaysian ringgit, and a 600-gram gold bar and other valuables from Chinese traders in Las Piñas City.
The police report said DSOU operatives “did not coordinate with Las Piñas PNP for the conduct of an operation, contrary to claim of EPD’s district director.”
The police report said operatives recovered from the suspects P12 million, which they also offered to arresting officers as a bribe. The remainder of the loot has not been found.
“Let this serve as a clear and final reminder. If you cannot uphold discipline and instill integrity within your ranks, then you have no place in this organization. Command responsibility is not a slogan—it is a mandate,” Marbil said.
“We are cleaning our ranks — without fear, without favor. The Filipino people deserve nothing less than a police force they can trust,” he added.
