Philippine National Police
MANILA, Philippines — Two members of the Special Action Force (SAF) who allegedly engaged in a moonlighting racket for a Chinese national were released from police custody but will be placed under restrictive custody at their unit’s headquarters, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Citing the resolution issued by the prosecution on Wednesday, PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said the two were released, but an order from SAF contains a directive for the unit’s personnel to escort the relieved officers—Corporal George Rojo Mabuti and Patrolman Roger Ramos Valdez—to their headquarters.
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“The prosecution issued a resolution earlier today for the PNP-SAF personnel facing alarm and scandal cases. However, they will be escorted by SAF personnel, who will bring them to the headquarters in Sto. Domingo, Sta. Rosa because an order for their restrictive custody was released,” Fajardo disclosed in a press briefing.
“They will undergo preliminary investigation and be escorted by SAF personnel,” she added.
According to Fajardo, the seven commanders of the two will also be placed under restrictive custody after they are relieved from their posts.
Earlier, PNP said investigations are ongoing to determine who allowed the two personnel to provide services to a foreign national.
All nine are facing administrative complaints for “grave irregularity in the performance of duty, which is providing security detail to an individual without the express authority from the chief PNP.”
PNP stressed that only the Police Security and Protection Group and not SAF members are authorized to provide security services to anyone.
Valdez and Mabuti figured in a fistfight in a residential community in Alabang, Muntinlupa City, at around 3:15 p.m. on May 18, based on a police report.
Mabuti reportedly fled the scene and sought refuge in one of the homes in the village, causing alarm and panic among the residents before they were arrested by responding officers.