Iloilo cops fired

ILOILO CITY— Members of a police unit that raided a radio station over the weekend have been relieved from their unit.

The Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team of the Iloilo City police has been disarmed and restricted to the police office pending the investigation of its armed assault against personnel of the radio station Aksyon Radyo-Iloilo on Sunday.

“We have elevated the level of investigation to a precharge proceeding because the evidence and information that we have gathered so far, along with testimonies of those involved, point to violation of operational procedures,” said Chief Supt. Agrimero Cruz, Western Visayas police director.

The SWAT members could also face criminal charges from personnel of the radio station who were held at gunpoint, made to remove their shirts and have their personal belongings searched during the raid. A security guard was also seen in a footage being kicked by one of the policemen.

The policemen were responding to reports of an armed clash between two groups of youth at Tuki Bar in Smallville Complex, around 200 meters from the radio station.

The station’s personnel sought police assistance after a group of youths involved in the melee sought refuge at the radio station.