General Benjamin Acorda Jr., the chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), has issued a compelling call for five police officers implicated in the robbery of a computer shop owner in Sampaloc, Manila, to surrender. The unexpected plea from the PNP’s highest-ranking official underscores the seriousness of the situation and the urgency to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Acorda has ordered elite police units to join the intense manhunt. The rogue officers have been identified as Staff Sergeants Ryann Paculan and Jan Erwin Isaac, Cpl. Jonmark Dabucol, and Patrolmen Jeremiah Pascual and John Lester Paga, all members of the Manila Police District-District Intelligence Operations Unit (MPD-DIOU). Shockingly, a civilian asset named “Menay Martinez” was found to be in cahoots with the corrupt policemen.

In a press conference held on Friday, General Acorda expressed his commitment to holding the errant officers accountable, stating, “We are doing our best just to show to our fellow Filipinos that we are not condoning any kind of this act and we will be running after them.” The police officers, who were in plainclothes, forcibly entered the computer shop owned by Herminigildo Mateo, a 73-year-old, near the intersection of Matimyas and Susan Streets in Sampaloc district. They falsely accused him of running an illegal online gambling operation.

The heinous incident took a sinister turn as the rogue officers not only robbed the shop of P40,000 but also demanded a weekly “protection fee” of P4,000 under the threat of arrest. This shocking revelation exposes the deep-rooted problem of police involvement in criminal activities, including drug trade, extrajudicial killings, extortion, and more, which has plagued the Philippines in recent times.

The PNP, under the leadership of General Acorda, is now vigorously pursuing the rogue officers, mobilizing specialized units to track them down and bring them to justice. This high-stakes manhunt reflects the determination to root out corruption and restore public trust in law enforcement agencies. The incident serves as a stark reminder that swift action is necessary to address the rampant trend of unscrupulous individuals tarnishing the image of the Philippine police force.

As the nation eagerly watches the outcome of this gripping manhunt, the focus remains on the urgent need for systemic reforms and stringent measures to ensure the integrity and professionalism of those entrusted with protecting and serving the Filipino people.