4 Makati cops axed over strip search

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Oscar Albayalde ordered the relief of four police officers who were caught in a video conducting a “strip search” of female drug suspects in the Makati City police station.

Albayalde yesterday named the four as Senior Inspector Valmark Funelas and Police Officers 1 Stephanie Limhap, Heizelle Maramag and Francis Intia.

“We strongly condemn this kind of deviant behavior in our ranks. We will make sure that the full force of the law will be meted against these erring personnel if found guilty after a swift investigation,” Albayalde said in a news briefing at Camp Crame.

The video clip, reportedly taken in March 2017 and aired over ABS-CBN Wednesday night, showed a naked female drug suspect in front of male and female police officers.

The incident reportedly happened in the police station’s drug enforcement unit office, which Funelas headed.

The woman was seen being instructed to bend over while naked in front of the police officers.

Albayalde said the incident should not have happened in the first place as the police officers should be aware of protocols in conducting a strip search. He said if the suspect is female, a female police officer should conduct the search.

Albayalde vowed the four police officers will be punished for their actions.

 “Let the ax fall where it should,” he said.

Chief Superintendent Guillermo Eleazar, National Capital Region Police Office director, said the four police officers were temporarily assigned at the NCRPO, guarding the compound’s gate, pending investigation of the case.

Southern Police District director Chief Superintendent Tomas Apolinario claimed the naked woman in the video was not a drug suspect but hired to demonstrate how a strip search is done. Female drug couriers usually hide drugs in their genitals.

The woman, who was presented during the press conference at the Makati police station, said she was hired as a drug courier and paid P2,000.

Commission on Human Rights commissioner Gwendolyn Pimentel-Gana said the CHR has dispatched a quick response team to investigate the incident.

Women’s group Gabriela said the incident “is yet another instance of how President Duterte’s denigration of women and disregard for the rights of the poor rub off on the state’s armed forces.”

Gabriela called on all women who experienced abuse in the hands of the police to come forward and “tell their story to the public.” – With Janvic Mateo, Jess Diaz, Rhodina Villanueva