Caloocan cops in ‘illegal’ raid charged in DOJ

The Caloocan policemen who reportedly used a minor to rob a house they raided earlier this month were charged before the Department of Justice (DOJ) yesterday.

The 13 rookie police officers and their two superiors were charged with robbery, child abuse, trespass to dwelling and violation of domicile in the complaint filed by Gina Erobas, owner of the house raided by the respondents last Sept. 7.

Erobas was assisted by Public Attorney’s Office chief Persida Rueda-Acosta in filing the complaint.

Named respondents in the charge sheet were Police Officers 1 Ariel Furio, Marvin Poblete, Sherwin Rivera, Jay Gabanata, Francis Ruiz Quidic, Rene Llanto, Louie Serrano, Jaypee Tulay, Rohelio Julaton, Jay-R Sabangan, Jaime Natividad, Joey Leaban and Michael Miguel; Senior Inspector Warren Peralta and Chief Inspector Timothy Aniway Jr.

All 15 have been relieved from their post in the Caloocan City police and sent to Camp Bagong Diwa for retraining following the incident and the spate of killings of teenagers during anti-narcotics operations last month.

In her complaint, Erobas said the policemen raided her house for allegedly hiding shabu after her neighbor, who was arrested for possession of illegal drugs, identified her as his supplier. The neighbor turned out to be at odds with Erobas’ family.

Close-circuit television footage showed the policemen ransacking the house with the minor and taking at least P26,000 worth of valuables, including P6,000 cash.

The policemen were not in uniform and did not have a search warrant when they raided Erobas’ house. They also did not file a spot report on the raid.