Pasig police drug unit disbanded

MANILA, Philippines — The drug enforcement unit of the Pasig police has been dissolved after eight DEU operatives were implicated in an alleged robbery during an anti-narcotics operation in the city over the weekend.

All members of the DEU, including its head, have been relieved from their posts.

Pasig police chief Col. Hendrix Mangaldan said the DEU would remain disbanded until its members are replaced and a new team is vetted.

Prior to this, eight DEU personnel and a civilian asset were accused of robbing residents during a drug sting in Pasig.

Mangaldan said initial operational records showed that the complainants were not on the police watchlist, although the alleged drug suspect was inside the house at the time of the operation.

Based on the complaint, assorted pieces of jewelry amounting to P500,000 and two motorcycle keys were allegedly stolen by police.

None of the declared missing items has been recovered, according to Mangaldan.

Police said they are still verifying the identity of the civilian asset, noting that informants are commonly used in anti-narcotics operations.

“So far, they have no records regarding cases like this. It appears to be the first complaint of this nature against them,” Mangaldan said, adding that the backgrounds of the police officers, who came from different Eastern Police District units, are still being reviewed.

The highest officer involved holds the rank of a captain. The lowest is a patrolwoman, Mangaldan said.

The eight police officers have been placed under restrictive custody as administrative and criminal cases are readied against them.