DOJ probes robbery, child abuse raps vs Caloocan cops

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II yesterday ordered an investigation on the use of a minor by 13 Caloocan police officers allegedly to rob a house they raided on Sept. 7.

Aguirre said he tapped the Department of Justice (DOJ) task force on child protection to look into the allegations against the policemen involved in the raid on Gina Erobas’ house where they allegedly stole some P26,000 worth of valuables.

“I directed the task force to file charges against those who have committed any act, which is tantamount to child abuse,” he said.

“Any act that inflicts physical or psychological injury, cruelty to or neglect, sexual abuse of, or which exploits a child is child abuse. Cases of child abuse should be punished to the full extent of the law,” Aguirre said.

Closed-circuit television footage showed the policemen ransacking the house of Erobas with the help of the minor and a police asset.

The policemen were not in uniform and did not have a search warrant when they conducted the operation. They did not file a spot report on the raid.

The National Capital Region Police Office relieved more than 1,000 Caloocan policemen last week following the incident and the spate of teen killings in the city.

Buhay party-list Rep. Lito Atienza has called on the DOJ to pursue the cases against the policemen under Republic Act 7610, the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.

He also asked the Philippine National Police to dismiss the policemen from the service.