During the House Committee on Public Order and Safety hearing on Wednesday, a victim who was accused to have been involved in a buy-bust operation made a stunning accusation. He alleged that police officers from San Pedro City, Laguna had committed a range of serious crimes, including kidnapping, robbery, physical assault, and potentially other offenses.”

The victim, Louie Quilao claimed that while on his way to manage a lotto outlet he operates on May 18, he was apprehended by a group of men who identified themselves as police officers and accused him of drug peddling.

He recounted, “Tinatanong nila sa akin, nasaan ang ‘basura’ mo, sabi ko wala po akong ‘basura’, wala po akong pera. Pinosasan na nila ako … Nananakit po sila. Everytime magtatanong po ako sa kanila ano ang kasalanan ko… Nagtatanong ako sa kanila ng warrant, ang sagot nila sa akin ay batok … May narinig ako sa kanila na, ‘Buti hindi ka itinumba, gusto mo itumba ka namin?'”

Furthermore, he alleged that the police entered and searched his house without a warrant.

Quilao’s son, Kent, noticed that many of their belongings were missing after the police left.

He explained, “Lilinisin ko na po dapat lahat ng kalat. Doon ko na po napansin na may mga nawawala na pong gamit, tulad ng bike, tools na pang-jeep at pang-motor, ‘yung Go Pro camera, ‘yung pera ko sa wallet, ‘yung pabango, at saka ‘yung WiFi ni Papa.”

CCTV footage presented in Congress supported their claim, showing a group of men on motorcycles heading to Quilao’s house on the specified date and time. One of them was seen leaving in the direction of Quilao’s house on a bicycle similar to Kent’s.

However, San Pedro police officials and personnel denied any involvement in the alleged robbery and kidnapping.

They claimed they conducted a buy-bust operation around 7 p.m., during which they apprehended Quilao. Team leader P/SSgt. Andie Gerilla stated, “’Yun po ang allegation nila sa amin na nagpunta kami sa bahay… Hindi doon ang buy-bust operation.”

Contradicting this, Quilao’s brother, Tony, presented a text message exchange between San Pedro, Laguna Police Acting Chief P/Lt. Col. Rolly Liegen and the San Pedro Administrator. Liegen reported that Quilao was already arrested past 4 p.m.

After reviewing the evidence presented during the hearing, Committee chairperson Santa Rosa City Rep. Dan Fernandez and Antipolo City 2nd District Rep. Romeo Acop expressed their conviction that Quilao was telling the truth.

Fernandez said, “Kung titingnan mo ang triangulation, affidavit n’yo, CCTV at yung texts, todas na kayo rito, mga kapatid.”

He continued, “Donoble na ang ang sahod niyo. As a matter of fact namumroblema kami ngayon sa MUP. Yong military uniform personnel. Ganito na nararanasan natin. Sana naman, kung na-doble na ang sahod niyo, sana making okay na!”

Acop added, ““I will see to it that there will be no favors sa ‘pag imbestiga. Babantayan ko. I will ask that criminal cases be filed against you for abduction, robbery and perhaps perjury.”