Palace: PNP, BOC personnel may face sanctions over Bulacan clash

Malacañang on Tuesday said personnel from the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Bureau of Customs (BOC) who may have committed wrongdoing during a confrontation in Bulacan could face sanctions, including removal from their posts.

Palace press officer Claire Castro said President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has ordered an investigation into the incident involving personnel from the two agencies.

She said the PNP has already conducted an initial investigation, while the alleged Highway Patrol Group (HPG) personnel involved have been relieved from their posts pending further investigation.

“Kung mayroon man silang pagkakasala at mayroong pang-aabuso na naganap at nagawa, dapat lamang po nila itong panagutin,” Castro said.

(If they committed any wrongdoing and abuse occurred, they should be held accountable.)

She said the government would not tolerate personnel from either agency who may have committed violations.

“Hindi po hahayaan ng dalawang ahensya na sa kanilang parehong panig ay magkaroon ng mga hindi kanais-nais na mga personnel,” Castro said.

(The two agencies will not allow undesirable personnel to remain in the organization.)

Castro added that those found responsible should face the appropriate consequences.

“Kung dapat na matanggal sa posisyon ay dapat gawin,” she said.

(If they should be removed from their positions, then it should be done.)

The Palace statement followed questions about why HPG personnel from the National Capital Region were reportedly in Bulacan.

The incident took place amid a separate Bureau of Customs operation involving the destruction of seized smuggled cigarettes.

Castro said the government is looking into the circumstances surrounding the confrontation and would hold accountable anyone found to have abused their authority.

She did not make a finding on which agency was at fault, stressing that the investigation remains ongoing.—LDF, GMA News