10 Taguig cops face raps over warrantless search

MANILA, Philippines — Ten police officers allegedly involved in a violent implementation of a search warrant at the house of an elderly woman in Taguig may face criminal and administrative cases after an investigation showed that the operation was illegal.

The incident, which was recorded on closed-circuit television footage, went viral on social media.

The Taguig police sub-station 5 commander in Barangay Tipas has been relieved along with nine other officers following the incident.

Maj. Hazel Asilo, spokesperson for the National Capital Region Police Office, said the sub-station commander was sacked for command responsibility.

Seven of the police officers were involved in the actual operation. The other two served as reinforcements.

Asilo said the operation, supposedly targeting a drug suspect, was illegal as the police officers were not armed with a search warrant.

One of the policemen was seen in the video showing a document to the woman whom he shoved in front of two minors.

“They conducted a warrantless search. That’s illegal,” Asilo said.

Netizens condemned the police officers.

The woman was seen jumping from a police vehicle and landing to the ground before escaping.

Asilo said the woman feared for her life after sensing they were not headed to the barangay hall as agreed with the police.