4 Manila cops probed over wrong arrest

Four Manila policemen were placed under investigation for the "mistaken arrest" of a female executive of a cigarette company whom they thought was a suspected drug dealer in Tondo, Manila.

Chief Inspector Marcelino Pedrozo Jr., head of the Western Police District-Drug Enforcement Group (WPD-DEG), said the four would be investigated for violating the standard operating procedures (SOP) in dealing with such personalities.

SPO3 Nestor Bustamante, PO2 Redentor delos Santos, PO2 Emmanuel Bautista, and PO1 Bernardito David were reassigned to the District Headquarters Support Unit (DHSU) to prevent them from influencing the outcome of the investigation.

"It means they can no longer take part in operations while the investigation is going on," said WPD spokesman Gerry Agunod. He said Pedrozo, immediate superior of the four policemen, may also have to be investigated.

Cigarette company executive Maria Isabel Samaniego identified the four policemen as among those cops involved in a botched anti-drug operation against suspected drug dealer Nene Estrella.

Investigation showed the incident took place in Tondo, Manila last weekend, where the four arrested Samaniego, intimidating and threatening her while she was in their custody.

Samaniego said she was driving company issued Toyota Corolla (WMN-975) when the cops blocked their path. Without properly identifying themselves, one of the cops took the steering wheel from her.

But upon learning that they got the wrong person, the police operatives apologized and asked her to sign a waiver, but she refused to do so. She later filed charges against the lawmen with the People’s Law Enforcement Board. – Cecille Suerte Felipe