Police officers from the National Capital Region Police Office, including its chief Maj. Gen. Debold Sinas, allegedly harassed a family living in a housing for policemen in Taguig City on Saturday.
Arles Delos Santos said policemen, led by Sinas, arrived at the front gate of their house at around 4 in the afternoon, wearing camouflage and SWAT uniforms, and armed with guns.
Delos Santos narrated how cops crashed their gate and entered the premises of their house without permission. Further, the policemen forced their way into the property and demanded the family to leave.
The incident was recorded by the family’s CCTV camera.
“Sobrang daming pulis. Magpapaalis na naman sa amin. Natakot po kami. Sigaw ng sigaw si General Sinas,” he said.
[There were so many of them. Asking us to leave again. We were afraid. General Sinas shouted again and again.]
Delos Santos showed Sinas their certificate of occupancy and a police document acknowledging that they live in the property.
This document was signed by Sinas himself, said Delos Santos. On the other hand, Sinas was not able to show any documents or proof of their claim.
“Kinuha ko papeles namin may legal papers, na legal pag-stay namin dito. Nagsisigaw, ‘Bakit kami andito, ilan kami dito,’ ‘PNP property daw ito’. May papel kami na hawak,” said Delos Santos.
[I went to get our legal papers, to prove that our stay here is legal. They were shouting, claiming that our house is PNP property.]
Further, Delos Santos said Sinas instructed his policemen to take pictures, including the family members, the plate number of their car, and to record the confrontation on video.
A policeman also snatched Delos Santos’ phone when he began recording the incident as well.
“Nakikipag-agawan po siya. Habang nagpi-picture po ako, grinab, hinablot niya po. Natakot po. Maayos kami nakikipag-usap pero sinisigawan niya po kami, si General Sinas,” said Delos Santos.
[He was trying to get my phone from me. While I was taking pictures, he grabbed it. I got scared. We were conversing properly but he was shouting at us, General Sinas.]
A member of the family went as far as describing the encounter as “abusive.”
A purok leader condemned the incident and questioned the need for force.
“Wala sila armas at di sila lalaban, bakit sila nagdadala ng mga mahahabang armas?” De Guzman said.
[The family had no weapons and they won’t fight. Why did the police brought out big arms?]
The NCRPO has yet to respond to ABS-CBN News’ queries on the matter.
Barangay officials said this is not the first time the police allegedly trespassed the Delos Santos’ residence.
The Delos Santos family has been residing there since 2010. It has a lot of 5,000 square meters.
