National Police Commission (Napolcom) Commissioner Rafael Vicente R. Calinisan vowed decisive action on an administrative complaint filed against 10 Angono police officers accused of staging a fake drug arrest involving a criminology student.
Complainant Nestor Makabenta Jr., assisted by staff from Senator Erwin Tulfo, filed on Tuesday, Feb. 10, charges of grave misconduct and conduct unbecoming of a police officer before Napolcom’s Inspection, Monitoring, and Investigation Service (IMIS).
The respondents are Police Captain Francis Caparas; Police Chief Master Sergeant Randell Evardone; Police Master Sergeants Jeffrey Godalle and Michael Maandal; Police Staff Sergeants Rommel Bilog, Daril Piamonte, Rowel Sabangan, Alejandro Probadora, and Brian Moises; and Police Corporal Andres Buelo Jr.
According to police reports, Makabenta was arrested during a buy-bust operation at 10:00 p.m. on November 10, 2025. However, Napolcom said CCTV footage shows officers intercepting Makabenta at 5:00 p.m. while he was riding a motorcycle.
Makabenta alleged that officers coerced him to admit drug involvement and demanded ₱50,000 as an “areglo” (settlement), which his family reportedly paid via e-wallet.
Despite the payment, police filed a criminal case against him.
The prosecutor later dismissed the case, citing inconsistencies between the officers’ affidavits and witness statements.
Media representatives and barangay tanods clarified that they only witnessed the inventory of evidence and were not present during the actual arrest.
Commissioner Calinisan ordered the IMIS to immediately investigate the complaint.
He stressed that accountability is vital to restoring public trust.
“Hindi maaaring baluktutin ang katotohanan o yurakan ang karapatan ng mamamayan. Bilang Pulis ng Pulis, tungkulin ng NAPOLCOM na tiyaking ang uniporme ay simbolo ng proteksyon, hindi pang-aabuso. Kung may nagkasala, pananagutan ang katapat, walang pagtatakip at walang sasantuhin,” Calinisan said. (Odralim Villarez/Intern)
