PNP chief signs order to dismiss 7 of 9 cops who ransacked retired prof’s home

Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr., PNP chief, holds a press briefing in this file photo taken on April 25, 2023, at Camp Crame in Quezon City. (File photo by NIÑO JESUS ORBETA / Philippine Daily Inquirer)

MANILA, Philippines — Seven of nine noncommissioned police officers who were caught on CCTV ransacking a retired professor’s home in Imus, Cavite, were dismissed on Wednesday, Col. Jean Fajardo, spokesperson of the Philippine National Police (PNP) said in a briefing.

Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr., PNP chief, signed the dismissal in the morning of that same day.

The seven officers are facing six counts of grave misconduct, two counts of less grave misconduct, one count of grave irregularity in the performance of duty, grave dishonesty, and conduct unbecoming of a police officer.

Last Aug. 7, the video of the officers forcing their way into a retired teacher’s home went viral on social media.

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The CCTV footage showed the Station Drug Enforcement Unit leader, Maj. Alexes Tuazon, and eight others forcing their way into the retired professor’s home as she begged them to stop and cried for help.

Two of the nine cops, on the other hand, continuously hit her door with a log and a metal stick. After entering the woman’s home, the officers left with some items they had seized.

After the video circulated online, police said Tuazon and eight others were ordered to explain the circumstances of the operation and were immediately relieved from their positions.