6 PNP-DEG execs in Cebu relieved from posts over alleged kidnap ties

Six officials of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG) Special Operations Unit (SOU) were relieved from their posts in Cebu.

The officials were facing allegations of kidnapping and torture, according to Jun Veneracion’s “24 Oras” report on Wednesday.

“Noong sumabog ‘yun pina relieve agad ni director yun. In fairness to them allegation yun,” Police Colonel Marlou Martinez, PDEG deputy director for administration, said.

Based on the report, the complainants said that they were forced to ride the operatives’ vehicle and were taken to the headquarters of the PDEG SOU, where they were allegedly tortured.

PNP chief Police General Benjamin Acorda Jr. maintained that misconduct will not be tolerated under his leadership.

He also urged the public that there is no reason for them to be afraid to report any misconduct to the police.

“This kind of case is just a manifestation na talaga yung ating mga kababayan ay willing nang lumantad and magsabi kung ano ang mga ginagawang katiwalian,” he said.

At least 97 PDEG officials have been relieved from their posts due to drug raids in Manila.

In-depth background investigations were conducted among the agency's over 1,000 personnel.

“Kung may konting bahid ka ayon sa background investigation natin na ginagawa natin continuously, then you will be relieved from PDEG with the purpose of na magcleanse ang PDEG,” Martinez said.—Richa Noriega/LDF, GMA Integrated News