Quezon city: A Grab delivery rider who escaped an alleged abduction in Sampaloc, Manila has filed an administrative complaint against seven officers from the Manila Police District (MPD).
According to Philippines News Agency, the complaint was filed by Chester Dumaran, 27, with the National Police Commission's Inspection, Monitoring and Investigation Service (IMIS). The accused include a police major, two master sergeants, two staff sergeants, one corporal, and one patrolman. They are charged with grave misconduct, grave irregularities in the performance of duty, and conduct unbecoming of a police officer.
Dumaran claims that he and a companion, a Foodpanda rider, were accosted by the plainclothes officers while taking a break along Santisima Trinidad Street in Barangay Balic-Balic on September 9. The officers allegedly drove them around Rizal province for hours, threatening their lives if they did not cooperate.
Dumaran says he managed to escape around midnight when the group stopped to eat along Maceda Street corner Laong Laan. His companion was reportedly taken to the MPD headquarters and charged with drug-related offenses. Dumaran also alleges that the officers took his cellphone, necklace, and PHP9,000 from his GCash account, savings intended for his children.
Napolcom Vice Chair and Executive Officer Rafael Vicente Calinisan expressed concern over the allegations. "This is the first time I'm hearing about a case like this, and I am very, very bothered. We will not tolerate this if what Chester is saying is true. We will get to the bottom of this, and we will never allow any abuses of our policemen against the public," Calinisan stated.
Calinisan confirmed that IMIS investigators have already begun looking into the case and that he has formally communicated with the Philippine National Police (PNP) to ensure Dumaran's safety. "We will make sure that he is protected. Whatever Chester needs, we will try to provide. His decision to come forward is a step toward ensuring his own safety," he added.
Calinisan assured the public that due process would be followed in the case and reminded police officers to adhere to proper arrest procedures, which include informing suspects of their rights and the reason for their arrest, as required by the PNP manual and the Constitution.
