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The Philippine National Police headquarters in Quezon City. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

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20160701-Philippine-Police-JC

Jeff Caparas

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/178756150924320160701-PNP-police-JC-5.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>The Philippine National Police headquarters in Quezon City. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News MANILA — The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday said it was not making excuses for its Highway Patrol Group (HPG) personnel involved in an alleged confrontation with Bureau of Customs (BOC) officers in Santa Maria, Bulacan.</div>Thirteen HPG personnel have been administratively relieved from their posts pending an investigation into the incident.PNP spokesperson PCol. Allen Rae Co said the relief order was issued to ensure a fair and impartial investigation.“We would like to make it clear that the relief ordered by the Chief PNP does not mean that they were found guilty or of any wrongdoing,” Co said during a press briefing in Camp Crame on Monday.He said the administrative relief was intended to prevent the personnel involved from influencing the investigation.“It is to pave the way for a fair and impartial investigation that cannot be influenced by the very people involved. It is not right for you to investigate yourself,” Co said.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/8/24/customs-continues-to-work-with-pnp-despite-bulacan-incident-1328">Customs says ties with PNP good despite Bulacan incident</a></div>The PNP is also looking into why HPG-NCR personnel conducted the operation in Bulacan instead of the local police unit or the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).“This will form part of the investigation to be conducted. They will be given a chance, everyone is entitled to due process, to air their side,” Co said.The investigation will also determine whether the HPG had the proper mandate to conduct the alleged buy-bust operation, considering that its primary functions include traffic enforcement, security and anti-carnapping operations.Co said there may be instances when HPG personnel could continue an operation involving suspected contraband if it originated from a highway and was being tracked by police.“If the contraband came from the highway, we can continue the operation. It would be inefficient if they had to call another unit while they were already tracking it,” he said.However, Co clarified that the circumstances of the particular operation must still be established, especially since it was reportedly conducted as a buy-bust operation.<div> </div><div>INVESTIGATION</div>Co said that the PNP is not defending the HPG personnel involved.“We are not making excuses for them. As the Chief Philippine National Police ordered, there will be a thorough investigation to determine all the circumstances surrounding this incident,” he said.The PNP has also not confirmed allegations that HPG personnel harassed, frisked or disarmed BOC officers during the incident.Co said the investigation must hear both sides before authorities can determine what actually happened.“It will all come out in the investigation. We do not want to preempt the result. It is premature to tell you now what happened because we have to hear both sides, or all sides, regarding this incident,” he said.The HPG personnel, meanwhile, have reportedly claimed that their operation was triggered by information about the alleged sale of smuggled goods involving some Customs personnel.Co said the conflicting claims from the HPG and BOC underscore the need for a complete investigation.“It is premature to judge or say what really happened. This will all come out through the proper investigation,” he said.Investigators will also look into whether there was proper coordination with other government agencies, noting that anti-smuggling operations are not among the PNP’s primary functions.“The truth cannot be hidden here. We will determine what really happened,” Co said.The local police unit is expected to conduct the initial investigation, while the Chief PNP will determine who will be designated as the lead investigator.Co reiterated that the administrative relief of the 13 HPG personnel should not be interpreted as a finding of guilt.“The main purpose of the relief is really to give way to an impartial investigation,” he said.

The Philippine National Police on Monday said it was not making excuses for its Highway Patrol Group personnel involved in an alleged confrontation with Bureau of Customs officers in Santa Maria, Bulacan.

The Philippine National Police on Monday said it was not making excuses for its Highway Patrol Group personnel involved in an alleged confrontation with Bureau of Customs officers in Santa Maria, Bulacan.

PNP: No excuses for HPG as probe into BOC confrontation continues

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PNP: No excuses for HPG as probe into BOC confrontation continues

Jeff Caparas,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 24, 2026 05:07 PM PHT

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Bureau of Customs

Bulacan

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