Criminology student tags 10 Angono cops for 'hulidap'

A criminology student filed a complaint before the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) against 10 police officers from Angono, Rizal who allegedly extorted money from him and forced him to admit to being a drug supplier.

According to Jun Veneracion’s report in “24 Oras” on Tuesday, the drug enforcement unit of Angono Police flagged two motorcycle passengers in San Isidro in Angono, Rizal in November last year. The police accused them  of being involved in illegal drugs activities.

Just a few minutes later, the complainant - Nestor Macabenta Jr. - was flagged by the cops, who claimed that he was a supplier of illegal drugs to the said motorcycle passengers.

“They are forcing me to admit that I am a drug provider while I deny their allegations. They repeatedly hurt me until they put a bag over my head, which is why I was forced to confess,” Macabenta said in Filipino.

He added that the cops seized his gold ring and brought him to the precinct where they told him to give them P50,000 so charges will not be filed against him.

The victim’s sibling sent the money to the e-wallet account of one of the cops but he was still not released.

“They took a photo of the **** receipt and then deleted it. Then, they showed me that no money was sent and told their companion, 'Look, no money was sent... lock him up already.'” said Macabenta.

The student was released last January after the court junked the charges filed against him by the cops.

“The police officers I used to admire ended up doing this to us,” he said.

Macabenta filed a complaint against the ten cops, who planted evidence against him.

“The National Police Commission means business, we will put a stop to it. And we will teach these policemen the word accountability, we will teach these policemen the word justice,” said NAPOLCOM Vice Chairman Rafael Calinisan.

This is the second time that Macabenta experienced “hulidap”. The cops who arrested him in 2024 were also the same ones who illegally nabbed him last year, the report said.

Macabenta said he’s a target because his father was involved in illegal drugs.

GMA Integrated News is trying to reach out to the cops involved for their statements. — Vince Angelo Ferreras/BAP, GMA Integrated News