NATIONAL Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) director, Major General Vicente D. Danao Jr. on Sunday said he has ordered the relief of four Taguig City policemen accused of involvement in a daring robbery incident in Pasig City where they reportedly some P30 million in cash.

“This is dismaying. This is unacceptable. I personally went to the police station to see the police officers involved. I cannot accept any excuses for this act, robbery-extortion,” the Metro Manila police chief said.

The official also said the entire NCRPO vehemently condemns the act of robbery-extortion involving the four policemen who are now facing criminal and administrative charges that will merit their dismissal from the force without pay and other benefits.

“I immediately ordered their relief and a fact-finding investigation is currently being undertaken. I will make sure that cases will be filed against them and they have to face the consequences of their actions. For sure, no stone will be left unturned,” said Maj. Gen. Danao.

Southern Police District director, Brigadier Gen. Jimili L. Macaraeg said the suspects identified as Staff Sergeant Jayson Bartolome, Corporals Merick Desoloc and Christian Jerome Reyes and Patrolman Kirk Joshua Almojer, all assigned at the Taguig City Police Sub-Station 1 were arrested for their role in the robbery incident at no. 8 Sta. Elvira Street in Barangay Kapitolyo, Pasig City 12:10 a.m. Saturday.

Another suspect identified as civilian John Carlo Atienza was killed in an ensuing shootout with responding policemen while two others identified as dismissed Police Officer 2 Ferdinand Fallaria and one Ruwel Galang are still being hunted.

An initial investigation showed the suspects entered the gate of the victims and at gunpoint asked one Wilma Acebuche where her Japanese employer Kani Toshihiro was staying.

After getting the information, the armed men rushed upstairs and handcuffed the 42-year old Japanese national before asking him to open the vault where they stole approximately P30 million in cash and an Iphone 13 Promax.

After the incident, the suspects fled on board four motorcycles. However, members of the Pasig City Police Station who were alerted of the heist immediately launched a hot pursuit operation which led to the shootout and the arrest of the four policemen.

The EPD reported that a brother of the live-in-partner of the Japanese national identified as Joana Marie Espiritu, 26, immediately sought the assistance of policemen in the area triggering the hot pursuit operation.

Two of the suspects abandoned their motorcycle after seeing the pursuing policemen and fled on foot along West Capitol Drive where they stole a parked motorcycle.

They later exchanged fire with the Pasig City policemen. One of the suspects identified as Atienza was wounded in the gunbattle and reportedly died in a hospital.

Witnesses identified two of the motorcycles used by the suspects: a gray Mio Sporty with plate no. CC57311 and a green Mio Sporty without license plate.

“This is a warning to all Metro cops. No illegal activities will be tolerated under my watch. Learn to live with your means and be contented with what you have. Otherwise, appropriate charges will be filed against you,” Danao said.

The official said the four suspects will be charged accordingly without prejudicing the welfare of others who are performing their duties with full dedication.

It was the 1st embarrassing robbery-extortion incident involving NCRPO cops this year.

Macaraeg, the immediate superior of the four rogue policemen, will be administratively relieved from his post.

In 2019, the PNP leadership ordered the relief of 15 officers of the EPD Drug Enforcement Unit and 27 members of the Pasay City DEU following the involvement of some of their colleagues in robbery-extortion.

In both incidents, erring members of the two DEUs were accused of demanding money from arrested drug suspects in exchange for their release.

The PNP and NCRPO leadership in the past have cited ‘command responsibility” in ordering the relief of their high officials as the offense means officials can be held accountable for knowledge of illegal acts amongst their ranks.

A PNP commander is presumed to have this knowledge if the illegal acts are widespread under areas of his jurisdiction, committed repeatedly and by his immediate staff or personnel, officials said.

The Pasig City robbery incident came barely hours after EPD director, Brigadier Gen. Orlando O. Yebra Jr. reported the arrest of NCRPO’s 5th top drug target during a buy-bust operation in Bgy. Rosario, Pasig City.

Yebra reported to Danao that 22-year old Rando Labarientos yielded three plastic sachets containing 12.2 grams of shabu valued at P82,960, one unlicensed caliber .38 revolver with five live ammunition and a marked P500 bill.

The suspect is facing a non-bailable case for sale and possession of prohibited drugs under Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.