11 NCR COPS AXED OVER ABDUCTION OPERATIONS

ELEVEN police officers from the National Capital Region Police Office’s Regional Drug Enforcement Unit (RDEU-NCRPO) were ordered dismissed from the service over alleged charges of kidnapping.

The National Police Commission (Napolcom), in a news release Friday, said the officers were found administratively liable for two counts of grave misconduct and two counts of conduct unbecoming of a police officer.

The commission identified the 11 as Lt. Col. Ryan Jay Orapa, Maj. Mark Phillip Almedilla, SMSgt. Mark Anthony Manrique, SSgt. Edmon Muñoz, SSgt. Robert Allan Raz Jr., SSgt. Denar Roda, Cpl. Alric Natividad, Cpl. Reynaldo Seno Jr., Cpl. Ronald John Lanaria, Patrolman Rufino Miguel Panghulan, and Patrolman Develyn Tapalla.

Orapa, Almedilla, Manrique, and Muñoz had earlier been linked to the missing “sabungeros” (cockfight enthusiasts) case and were charged and dismissed from service in January.

According to Napolcom, the 11 officers were accused of involvement in abduction incidents on February 17 and March 24, 2021, allegedly under the guise of anti-drug operations.

The case stemmed from complaints filed on Sept. 3, 2025.

The Napolcom said the respondents’ actions, carried out while they were in active service and acting under the color of authority, seriously dishonored the Philippine National Police (PNP) and demonstrated a corrupt and unworthy moral character incompatible with public service.

Given the gravity of the violations, Napolcom imposed the maximum penalty of dismissal, with accessory penalties.

Napolcom Commissioner Rafael Vicente Calinisan said due process was observed in handling the cases.

“May due process tayo dito sa Napolcom. Hindi natin puwedeng paghaluin ang mga kaso. Kailangan nating tingnan nang hiwa-hiwalay, base sa ebidensya,” he said. 

PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño said the organization takes note of the Napolcom decision and stands firm in holding accountable those who betray the badge and the public trust.

“There is no place in the organization for abuse of authority, and we will relentlessly pursue internal cleansing to ensure that only those worthy of the uniform remain in the service,” Tuaño said.