Navotas city: Nine police officers in Navotas City accused of torturing two murder suspects have been relieved from their posts, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Monday. Among those removed from their posts was the chief investigating officer, PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Randulf Tua±o announced in a press briefing held at Camp Crame.

According to Philippines News Agency, the nine officers are facing charges of grave misconduct, serious irregularities in the performance of duty, conduct unbecoming of a police officer, and violation of the Anti-Torture Act before the Internal Affairs Service (IAS). Tua±o stated that these officers have been placed under the custody of the District Personnel Holdings and Accounting Unit of the Northern Police District following their relief from duties.

Tua±o further noted that the IAS conducted interviews with both the accused officers and the complainants last Thursday, while the National Police Commission (Napolcom) initiated its own investigation the following day. Lawyer Cid Stephen Andeza, representing the arrested murder suspects, alleged that the torture occurred inside the office of the Navotas City Police Station Intelligence Section on November 8. The suspects were reportedly detained in connection with a fatal shooting incident in Barangay Bangkalusi five days earlier.

In a related development, PNP Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG) director Brig. Gen. Elmer Ragay reported during the same briefing that six of the 14 police officers accused of ransacking a home in Bacoor City, Cavite, have surrendered to authorities. Ragay stated that the officers began surrendering individually around 1:30 p.m. on November 27, and by 5:40 p.m., all were accounted for at the PDEG headquarters. Previously, eight of the 14 officers were apprehended on November 23, including the team leader accused of raping an 18-year-old online seller during the raid. The victim has since filed administrative complaints against all 14 officers with the National Police Commission.