The Manila police force in the Philippines is once again facing controversy over law enforcement actions. According to the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM), a delivery rider has formally filed an administrative complaint, accusing 11 Manila police officers of illegal arrest, assault, and robbery. This is the second similar accusation against law enforcement officers in a short period, following a similar incident on September 12.
According to the victim's statement, on the day of the incident, he and another delivery rider were forcibly taken into a vehicle by several unidentified individuals, who later identified themselves as police officers. The complaint states that the two were taken to different vehicles, where they were physically assaulted and threatened with weapons, and their personal belongings, including 10,000 pesos in cash, mobile phones, and motorcycles, were confiscated. The police tried to justify their actions with drug-related charges, but due to lack of evidence, these were not accepted by the prosecutor's office, and the victims were eventually released.
NAPOLCOM noted that the action reports and surveillance records submitted by the police were clearly inconsistent with the complainant's statement. It is noteworthy that most of the accused officers had previously been under internal investigation for another suspicious action. Such incidents are not isolated, as records show that foreign workers, including Chinese professionals, have also experienced similar tactics, usually being intercepted unreasonably under the guise of inspection, property confiscation, or even extortion under the pretext of "suspected illegal activities."
The acting chief of the Manila Police District has ordered the transfer of all narcotics department personnel involved in this case from their original positions and has promised a thorough investigation. The police stated that if the investigation confirms the allegations, they will be dealt with strictly according to the law, emphasizing "zero tolerance for any actions that undermine public trust in the police."
