Camille Naredo

Facade of the Department of Interior and Local Government - NAPOLCOM Center in Quezon City, May 19, 2020. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

NAPOLCOM

Jeff Caparas

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — A businessman identified only as &quot;Jun&quot; filed administrative complaints before the National Police Commission (Napolcom) against four police officers on Tuesday, following a botched arrest operation in Baliwag City that authorities initially described as a case of mistaken identity.The incident, which was caught on CCTV, showed armed men in civilian clothes surrounding the businessman outside his establishment before attempting to force him into a vehicle. The men identified themselves as police officers but allegedly failed to present a warrant before attempting to arrest him.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2026/7/17/4-bulacan-cops-relieved-over-alleged-mistaken-arrest-of-businessman-1813">READ: 4 Bulacan cops relieved from post over alleged &#x27;mistaken arrest&#x27; of businessman</a></div>The filing of the complaints came as the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Napolcom continued separate investigations into possible operational lapses and whether the incident involved more than mistaken identity.According to PNP spokesperson for the Chief Philippine National Police, P/Col. Marlon Santos, investigators found that the officers failed to follow several Police Operational Procedures (POP).&quot;However, they failed to observe the Police Operational Procedures (POP). Particularly, yung pag verify ng warrant to be served. Sa POP kailangan po natin i-verify sa court yung authenticity ng warrant of arrest,&quot; Santos said.He said the arresting team also failed to verify whether the person they intended to arrest was the individual named in the warrant.&quot;Kailangan po natin i-check kung yung po bang subject na aarestuhin natin is the same person na nakapangalan sa warrant of arrest. Ang yung pong coordination, since sa Baliwag City na-locate yung kanilang subject and they were assigned sa San Rafael Police Station, yung pong inter-unit coordination hindi po nila nagawa,&quot; he added.Santos said the involved officers are currently detained at the Baliwag City Police Station pending the outcome of the investigation.The PNP has filed five criminal complaints against three non-commissioned police officers and two civilians for physical injuries, unjust vexation, grave coercion, slander by deed, and attempted kidnapping.For Napolcom Vice Chairperson and Executive Officer Rafael Vicente Calinisan, the incident raised several &quot;red flags&quot; that warrant further investigation.&quot;Lahat red flag. Una dapat nagpapakilala yung pulis, inaalam din muna kung sino ba talaga yung inaaresto. In this case hindi klaro sino yung inaaresto dito. Yung warrant hindi klaro while the presence of the warrant is not necessary, pero dapat naman siguro trabahuhin naman ninyo kung sino ba talaga inaaresto ninyo at kung talagang may warrant yung taong balak ninyong arestuhin,&quot; Calinisan said.He also questioned why the businessman was allegedly not informed of his constitutional rights.&quot;Pangatlo, hindi binasahan ng Miranda Rights. Kung talagang inaaresto ito, eh di niyo naman sinabihan kung ano ang karapatan nung taong inaaresto ninyo. Eh yun ang number 1 na pinakaimportante, safeguard yan sa Philippine Constitution na kailangan alam ng tao na inaaresto siya, so wala rin yun,&quot; he adds. Calinisan also found it unusual that officers allegedly lured the businessman outside his establishment before attempting to arrest him.&quot;Yung pang-apat, actually ito yung medyo kakaiba sa akin, kung mayroon kang valid warrant hindi mo naman kailangan palabasin yung tao sa kalsada bago mo arestuhin, that&#x27;s why there are questions, valid, legitimate questions to be asked,&quot; he further said. &quot;Kung talagang may warrant siya bakit kailangan pa siyang palabasin sa tindahan niya, magkunwari na may banggaan dun sa kanyang kotse. Eh puwede naman siya puntahan sa kanyang tindahan at arestuhin ng kinauukulan kung talagang legitimate itong warrant na ito,&quot; Calinisan said. Because of these circumstances, Napolcom said it is not yet ready to conclude that the incident was merely a case of mistaken identity as investigators are also looking into other possible motives, including extortion and attempted kidnapping.&quot;Jun&quot; said the ordeal continues to affect his daily life.&quot;Sa akin po talaga yung pinakamalaking effect po nito, talagang even madaling araw makarinig ka lang ng kaunting kaluskos, akala mo may tao na sa labas. Bago ka pumasok ng bahay mo iikot ka muna ng dalawa tatlong beses sa lugar mo, sa labas din iikot ka muna. Tapos mismo sa establishment ng negosyo ko, iikot muna ako bago pumasok bago ako lumabas. Hindi naman ako kriminal,&quot; he said. Despite the incident, he said he still believes in the police institution.The PNP said investigators will determine whether the officers&#x27; claim of conducting a legitimate operation is supported by evidence, including whether the description of the wanted person matched the businessman they attempted to arrest.The policemen will face administrative charges of grave misconduct and conduct unbecoming of a police officer.

A businessman identified only as "Jun" filed administrative complaints before the National Police Commission (Napolcom) against four police officers on Tuesday, following a botched arrest operation in Baliwag City that authorities initially described as a case of mistaken identity.

A businessman identified only as "Jun" filed administrative complaints before the National Police Commission (Napolcom) against four police officers on Tuesday, following a botched arrest operation in Baliwag City that authorities initially described as a case of mistaken identity.

Bulacan 'mistaken identity' victim files admin raps vs cops before Napolcom

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Bulacan 'mistaken identity' victim files admin raps vs cops before Napolcom

Jeff Caparas,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 21, 2026 02:58 PM PHT

Read More:

Bulacan

National Police Commission

Napolcom

mistaken arrest

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