4 more cops, civilian charged over theft in ex-prof’s house

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna, Philippines — Four more police officers and a civilian have been charged in connection with a robbery incident that occurred at the house of a retired professor in Imus, Cavite last year.

The five brought to 12 the total number of respondents in the case that stemmed from a supposed anti-drug operation, according to the National Police Commission (Napolcom).

Lawyer Owen de Luna, chief of the Napolcom-Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon), yesterday said that complainant Rebecca Caoile and the Napolcom filed additional criminal charges such as unlawful arrest, violation of domicile and planting of evidence against the respondents.

“The charges were filed before the Department of Justice (DOJ) on May 7,” De Luna told The STAR over the phone.

He said for the administrative aspect of the case, four officers filed appeals before the regional internal affairs service, while seven were dismissed from the service.

The DOJ ordered the policemen to appear before the preliminary investigation that would be conducted by Assistant State Prosecutor Mary Grace Pulido-Sadian on June 7.

Records showed that in August 2023, the accused officers barged into the house of Caoile in Barangay Alapan and arrested her and another person on alleged drug charges.

A viral footage of a closed-circuit television camera installed in the area showed the officers taking out items, including brand new motorcycle parts, from Caoile’s house.