House panel OKs 5-day furlough to cops detained over arrest of 4 Chinese

MANILA, Philippines — The House Committee on Public Order and Safety has granted a five-day furlough to police officers and officials who have been detained over the alleged illegal arrest of Chinese nationals in Parañaque City last September 2023.

During the panel’s hearing on Tuesday, ACT-CIS party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo moved that a furlough be given to the former Southern Police District (SPD) Special Operation Unit (SOU) officers who are facing dismissal from the Philippine National Police.

The furlough will allow them to prepare their motions for reconsideration.

“Mr. Chairman, if I’ll be allowed, I’d like to file a motion for a furlough being requested by these police officers, not only of the five, but those entire police officers under our custody, for a furlough of five days, so that they can do their own business, be with their families, and they would be back and they must be back on Monday, Mr. Chairman,” Tulfo said.

“Five days being starting tomorrow, until Sunday, Mr. Chairman,” he added.

Committee chairperson and Santa Rosa City Rep. Dan Fernandez then reminded the officers not to waste the trust given by the panel, saying that a hearing on Monday, February 19, would be held to deliberate on the contempt orders issued against the officers.

The furlough was also granted to former SPD head Brig. Gen. Roderick Mariano and comptroller Col. Charlie Cabradilla, two officials who were also cited for contempt last February 5.

READ: 2 police officials cited for contempt in probe into arrest of Chinese nationals

The panel’s investigation started after Antipolo 2nd District Rep. Romeo Acop filed House Resolution No. 1471, where he claimed four Chinese nationals were “allegedly unlawfully accosted and arrested” and were brought to Room 1811 of Solemare Parksuites condominium in Parañaque on September 16, 2023.

According to Acop, the victims were “detained for several hours without being informed of their alleged offense and Miranda rights and were deprived of contact with their legal representation.”

During the hearings, it was discovered that different sums of money were reported recovered during the raid, prompting lawmakers to question if officers got hold of the money owned by the Chinese nationals.