Cop chief, 10 others relieved over arrest of criminology student

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February 12, 2026 | 12:00am

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna, Philippines —The chief of police of Angono in Rizal and 10 members of the station’s anti-narcotics unit have been relieved from their posts in connection with the unlawful arrest of a criminology student on alleged drug charges.

The relief of Angono police chief Lt. Col. Ariel Azurin was based on the doctrine of command responsibility.

Azurin’s men ­– Capt. Francis Caparas; Chief M/Sgt. Randell Evardone; M/Sgts. Jeffrey Godalle and Michael Maandal; S/Sgts Rommel Bilog, Brian Moises, Daril Piamonte, Alejandro Probadora and Rowel Sabangan, and Cpl. Andres Buelo Jr.  – were placed under restrictive custody at the Rizal police headquarters.

Rizal police deputy director Lt. Col. Wilhelmino Saldivar Jr. was designated officer-in-charge of the Angono police pending results of an investigation being conducted on the respondents.

Brig. Gen. Paul Kenneth Lucas, Calabarzon police director, ordered a parallel internal investigation to determine the accountability of the respondents and ensure due process.

Lucas ordered the respondents disarmed of their issued firearms.

The officers are facing complaints of grave misconduct and conduct unbecoming of a police officer before the National Police Commission.

The relief stemmed from a complaint filed by Nestor Makabenta Jr., who was arrested in November on drug charges.

The complainant said he was coerced into admitting involvement in the illegal drug trade and asked to pay P50,000.

Makabenta’s family sent the money through online payment, but a criminal case was still filed against him.

The prosecutor dismissed the case, citing inconsistencies in the statements of the arresting officers, village watchmen and representatives from the media.