MANILA, Philippines — The National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) has officially dismissed the administrative charges filed against several operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group – National Capital Region (CIDG-NCR) involved in a 2024 e-sabong (online cockfighting) raid in Tondo, Manila.
In a resolution released this week, the commission cited a “lack of substantial evidence” to prove the allegations of grave misconduct and irregularity in the performance of duty that were previously leveled against the police officers.
The controversy stemmed from a high-profile raid on an illegal e-sabong den in Tondo, where several suspects were arrested and electronic equipment was seized. Following the operation, complaints were filed by the families of the suspects and some “concerned citizens,” alleging:
- Warrantless Entry: Claims that the operatives entered the premises without proper judicial authorization.
- Planting of Evidence: Allegations that the gambling paraphernalia and cash were “planted” to justify the arrests.
- Undue Force: Claims of physical harassment during the apprehension of the suspects.
After a thorough review by the NAPOLCOM’s legal affairs service, the commission found that the CIDG-NCR team followed “standard operating procedures” (SOP). The resolution highlighted several key findings:
- Legitimacy of the Operation: The operatives were able to present a valid “Mission Order” and proved that the raid fell under the doctrine of “hot pursuit” and “in plain view,” as illegal gambling was actively occurring during the surveillance.
- Presumption of Regularity: NAPOLCOM ruled that the complainants failed to provide concrete proof—such as CCTV footage or credible witness testimony—to overturn the legal presumption that the police performed their duties regularly.
- Consistency in Documentation: The inventory of seized items was found to be consistent with the testimonies of the barangay officials who witnessed the post-operation processing.
“The mere allegation of planting of evidence, without more, cannot defeat the positive testimony of the apprehending officers who are presumed to have performed their duties in a regular manner,” the NAPOLCOM resolution stated.
With the dismissal of the administrative raps, the concerned CIDG-NCR personnel—some of whom were placed under restrictive custody or preventive suspension during the investigation—are now cleared to return to full duty. The ruling also paves the way for the release of their withheld benefits and the processing of their delayed promotions.
While the Philippine National Police (PNP) leadership welcomed the decision as a “moral booster” for operatives on the ground, human rights advocates expressed disappointment.
“This dismissal highlights the difficulty of holding police accountable for alleged abuses during operations,” a representative from a local legal aid group noted. “We hope the internal mechanisms of NAPOLCOM continue to remain rigorous and transparent.”
The dismissal of the administrative case does not automatically affect any separate criminal charges that may still be pending in the regular courts, though legal experts suggest that the NAPOLCOM findings often carry significant weight in related judicial proceedings.