Eight police officers from the District Special Operations Unit (DSOU) of the Eastern Police District are facing multiple charges after allegedly conducting an unlawful arrest of a Chinese businessman in Las Piñas City, last Wednesday, April 2 

National Capital Region Police Office spokesperson P/Maj. Hazel Asilo, however, confirmed that the DSOU chief remains at large and is also expected to face charges. 

“Wala pa pong info kung siya po ay nag-report na or nagpunta na ng Eastern (Police District) pero sa ngayon po naka-considered po siyang at large. Ang naka-restrictive custody pa lang po is ‘yong walo,” said Asilo. 

After undergoing a medical examination, the suspects were immediately subjected to inquest proceedings before Las Piñas City prosecutor’s office. 

Meanwhile, the NCRPO also confirmed that the businessman arrested by the officers was not the individual named in the arrest warrant. 

“Kapangalan o magkapangalan ‘yong atinh naaresto dito sa Las Piñas at ‘yong nando’n sa warrant of arrest na hawak no’ng ating mga suspek, mga pulis na suspek. Magkapangalan sila pero magkaibang personality. According sa CIDG na nag-file nitong case dito sa kapangalan, hindi siya ‘yon. Hindi ‘yon ‘yong taong ‘yon,” Hasilo explained. 

 Asilo added that the conduct of said operation did not follow proper procedures. 

“Hindi nakapirma talaga yong dapat na pumirma. Dapat po medyo mataas ‘yong rank no’ng pipirma natin, hindi lang basta ‘yong leader nila since sila sila lang po ‘yong pupunta doon, ‘yong team leader na ‘yon. Dapat po may iba na nasa command group, gaya po noon na DDO ng Eastern po dapat ang pipirma,” Asilo added. 

Las Piñas City Police also confirmed that they received a coordination letter from DSOU but only a few hours before the actual operation.

“Natanggap namin 12 noon (April 2) then ang operation o ‘yong service of warrant is 2pm. Kumbaga sinadya na gano’ng oras lang para hindi siguro… hindi ample time para thoroughly ma-assess namin ‘yong warrant. Kumbaga may intensyon sila na hindi namin ma-evaluate ng mabuti ‘yong coordination na ‘yon,” said P/Col. Jay Sandro Tafalla, chief of Las Piñas City Police.

Atty. Reginaldo Bucu, the legal counsel representing the eight police officers insisted that the operation was legal and properly authorized by higher police officials. 

He also claimed that the case was a "set-up". 

In an interview, NCRPO Chief P/Maj. General Anthony Aberin earlier said that the suspects violated several protocols during the operation.

The eight police officers will be charged of unlawful arrest, serious illegal detention, robbery, and kidnapping.