By Nimfa L. Estrellado Quezon PPO Provincial Director Police Colonel Romulo Albacea addresses the media during a press conference on the inv...
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| Quezon PPO Provincial Director Police Colonel Romulo Albacea addresses the media during a press conference on the investigation into alleged procedural lapses in a Lucena City police operation. (QPPO video) |
LUCENA CITY, Quezon — A recent controversial police action in Lucena City has placed four operatives under investigation for alleged procedural lapses that were documented and reviewed. Police said sanctions remain possible as the probe continues and findings are being evaluated.
Investigators are examining whether the team verified the warrant with the issuing court, properly identified themselves, and complied with standard entry procedures. Initial findings indicate the warrant had already been served and should not have been used at the time of the operation.
The said raid took place on March 30 in Barangay Cotta and was led by the Provincial Intelligence Unit as part of efforts to locate a rape suspect. Police said court verification should have been completed before any attempt to serve the warrant during the operation.
Five operatives took part in the said raid, but complaints were filed against four following the release of a video of the incident. Police identified those involved as PEMS Christian Mendoza, PCMS Eric Claveria, PCpl Jose Anjo Hernandez, PCpl Franze Obciana, and Pat John Roi Rodas.
The complaint was brought by Roberto and Victor Zamora, along with their relative Joana Sales, who sought assistance through Raffy Tulfo in Action hosted by Raffy Tulfo. The family alleged that officers entered their home without proper authority and conducted an inspection inside the residence.
The officers were not in uniform, were wearing shorts, had no visible identification, and were carrying firearms during the entry. No physical copy of a warrant of arrest was presented, and only a cellphone image focused on a name was shown.
The warrant referred to “Lolo Roberto,” whose case had already been dismissed prior to the said raid and officially cleared. A certificate of discharge dated October 13, 2025 was presented, indicating that the case had already been resolved.
The warrant shown on the cellphone had not been verified and had already expired at the time of the operation. An inspection inside the house was carried out despite the absence of a valid warrant during the entry.
Joana Sales recorded the incident on her phone, capturing the officers’ movements inside the residence during the entry. The footage was later submitted as part of the complaint and reviewed during the investigation.
The incident, which was recorded on video and later aired on Raffy Tulfo in Action, showed officers entering the residence while armed and in civilian clothing. The footage also showed that only a cellphone image of the warrant was presented during the inspection, raising questions about compliance with standard procedures.
Quezon PPO Provincial Director Police Colonel Romulo Albacea addressed the issue during a press conference. He outlined the sequence of events and responded to questions on procedure and accountability raised during the briefing.
He explained that the officers involved failed to verify the status of the warrant with the issuing court before conducting the operation. He noted that this lapse contributed to uncertainty regarding the validity of the warrant during the operation.
“Holiday po noon kaya dapat sana ay naverify muna nila sa issuing court kung valid pa ang warrant. Lumabas po na hindi naman nila nakita ang subject sa lugar at hindi rin nila agad nalaman na tapos na pala ang kaso,” Albacea said.
Police officials responded to the allegations, saying the entry was permitted and part of an effort to verify the suspect’s location. They said a barangay official was present at the time and that the officers did not force entry into the residence.
Police said a man believed to be the suspect ran toward the house, prompting officers to follow and check the premises. The entry was carried out to verify whether the individual was inside before further action was taken.
Albacea addressed claims circulating on social media regarding the manner of entry into the residence during the operation. He clarified the police account based on the video reviewed as part of the ongoing investigation.
He said the footage showed that officers were allowed entry into the residence to verify the suspect’s presence. He emphasized that the situation should be understood based on the available video evidence.
“Yung pong binabanggit sa social media na pwersahan umanong pumasok ang kapulisan sa tahanan ay hindi po ganap na tama batay sa video na ating nakita. Makikita po na pinayagan silang pumasok upang mag-verify kung doon nga tumakbo ang hinahanap na suspect,” Albacea said.
The complainants disputed this account and described the entry as unexpected and distressing during the incident. The officers failed to clearly identify themselves upon entry into the residence, according to the complainants present at the time.
Police said one officer held a firearm during the said raid but did not aim it at any individual inside the residence during the entry. A preliminary review of the footage showed no signs of excessive force or physical abuse during the conduct of the operation.
Tulfo, speaking in his program Raffy Tulfo in Action, raised concerns over the officers’ failure to follow standard police procedures during the said raid. He pointed out issues related to the lack of uniform and proper identification during the operation.
“Hindi puwedeng ganyan ang operasyon na walang uniporme at walang malinaw na pagkakakilanlan ng mga pulis. Dapat sinusunod ang tamang proseso upang maiwasan ang paglabag sa karapatan ng mga mamamayan,” Tulfo said in his program.
He also stressed the need for accountability among law enforcement personnel involved in the incident. He emphasized that violations of procedure should not go unaddressed once established through investigation.
“Kung may mali sa ginawa ng mga pulis, dapat silang managot at maparusahan ayon sa batas. Hindi dapat pinapalampas ang ganitong klaseng paglabag sa tamang proseso,” Tulfo said in his program.
Tulfo contacted Albacea and Intelligence Unit chief PLTCOL Ruben Ballera to report the incident and seek immediate action. In response, the officers were relieved, disarmed, and placed under restrictive custody as the Provincial Investigation Unit proceeds with the case.
Restrictive custody confines the officers to headquarters and removes them from field duties while the inquiry is ongoing. The measure ensures that the investigation proceeds without interference and maintains the integrity of the process.
Albacea said no abuse has been established based on the available footage, although procedural lapses remain under review. He said adherence to protocol is required in operations involving private residences and civilian areas.
Albacea said confirmed violations could result in administrative penalties and possible criminal charges. Final action will depend on the findings and recommendations of the investigating unit once the inquiry is completed.
Quezon PPO leadership also addressed the handling of the complaint and the ongoing investigation during the press conference. Albacea emphasized transparency, accountability, and due process in resolving the issue and ensuring public trust.
“Tinutugunan ng Quezon Police Provincial Office ang insidente na kinasasangkutan ng kanyang kabaro sa pamamagitan ng agarang aksyon at patas na imbestigasyon. Tinitiyak ng kapulisan ang transparency at pananagutan, at ang sinumang mapatunayang nagkasala ay mananagot ayon sa batas.”
The operatives have apologized to the complainants and agreed to cooperate with investigators during the proceedings. A mediation meeting was also held at the PPO to address the issues raised by the family.
The officers involved have not issued individual statements as of this writing, while authorities determine accountability and possible violations. Administrative and procedural findings are expected to guide the next course of action.
Family members reported distress following the incident, particularly “Lolo Roberto,” who was shaken and fearful after the entry into their home. Police said monitoring and security measures would be provided to ensure their safety and protection.
The Quezon PPO said it remains committed to transparency and proper conduct in all field activities across the province. Appropriate action will be taken once the investigation is concluded and responsibilities are determined.
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