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FOUR policemen were relieved from their post after being caught on camera laughing while strip searching drug suspects, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Oscar Albayalde said Thursday, July 5.

The four officers were identified as Senior Inspector Valmark Funelas, Police Officer (PO) 1 Stephanie Limhap, PO1 Heizelle Maramag and PO1 Francis Intia.

The video, which was aired over ABS-CBN, was reportedly taken in March 2017 at the Makati police station.

“I am deeply saddened by this viral video going around in the internet of another alleged case of abuse committed by some of our personnel. Let me state this very clearly – we strongly condemn this kind of deviant bahaviour in our ranks,” said Albayalde.

“We will make sure that the full force of the law will be meted against these erring personnel if found guilty after a swift investigation that is now being conducted by NCRPO… Let the ax fall where it should, and definitely you will hear from NCRPO the soonest time possible,” he added.

Albayalde said instructing a detainee to strip and pose while it is being recorded on camera is not included in the standard police operational procedure.

Earlier, he said that despite having committed a crime and jailed for it, detainees still have human rights.