PNP says HPG-BOC confrontation in Bulacan ‘isolated incident’

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) maintained that the confrontation between Highway Patrol Group (HPG) and Bureau of Customs (BOC) personnel during an operation in Bulacan was an “isolated incident.”

In a press briefing in Camp Crame on Wednesday, PNP public information chief Col. Allen Rae Co said the agency’s chief, Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., ordered their Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management (DIDM) to look into the incident.

“We value our relationship with the BOC. This is an isolated incident,” Co stressed.

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READ: Palace: Erring PNP, BOC personnel face removal over Bulacan clash

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At least 12 HPG National Capital Region personnel allegedly raided a warehouse containing allegedly smuggled cigarettes in Santa Maria, Bulacan last August 19, frisking and handcuffing some BOC personnel before their officials intervened.

The HPG maintained that its operation sought to confiscate the cigarettes and arrest two BOC personnel allegedly reselling the contraband, but the bureau asserted it was conducting its own legitimate operation to incinerate the seized products as part of standard procedures.

The implicated HPG personnel were since relieved from their posts pending investigation, while BOC Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno said he intends to file administrative cases against them before the National Police Commission (Napolcom).

“All units concerned na pwedeng gamitin ng DIDM ay magagamit rito sa pag-imbestiga to get to the truth regarding all circumstances regarding the incident,” Co explained.

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(All units concerned can be deployed by the DIDM to investigate and get to the truth regarding all circumstances regarding the incident.)

For its part, Malacañang said it trusted the PNP and the BOC to investigate the incident fairly. /mr