The Philippine National Police (PNP) has ordered a full audit of an Iloilo City police station and a separate review of an anti-scalawag operation following allegations that civilians and police personnel were mistreated during a July 1 enforcement action.
PNP Chief Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. directed Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) to examine the personnel records, logbooks, and intelligence files of Iloilo City Police Station 4 in Molo.
Nartatez also ordered a review of how the Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group (IMEG) handled civilian witnesses during the operation.
The directive followed instructions from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla to strengthen internal cleansing efforts in the police force while ensuring that law enforcement operations remain within legal bounds.
“We are conducting a thorough and impartial investigation into the reported incident at the Iloilo police station. If any operative is found to have compromised civilian safety or exceeded their authority, we will ensure that accountability is swift and follows due process,” Nartatez said.
Based on the initial investigation, IMEG operatives went to Police Station 4 to look for a dismissed police officer who was wanted in a murder case.
During the operation, IMEG personnel allegedly disarmed police station personnel, ordered them to lie on the floor, seized their mobile phones, and pointed firearms at civilians who were acting as witnesses in an ongoing buy-bust operation.
The subject of the IMEG operation was not found at the station.
Police said the dismissed officer later surrendered to PRO-6 on July 5 to face the charges against him. He also turned over his issued 9mm pistol and is now under police custody at Iloilo City Police Station 6.
Nartatez said PRO-6 was also instructed to verify intelligence reports that the dismissed officer had been frequently visiting Police Station 4 and was allegedly being used in police operations despite his separation from the service.
“We do not tolerate any station harboring or utilizing rogue elements, and those reports are being validated with the utmost seriousness,” Nartatez said.
The PNP chief said the investigation would determine whether any police personnel or IMEG operatives violated operational procedures, abused authority, or placed civilians at risk.