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 controversial police action in Lucena City has placed four operatives under investigation for alleged procedural lapses, including the use of a warrant that had already been served and was no longer valid. Police said sanctions remain possible as the probe continues and findings are being evaluated.
Investigators are examining whether the team properly verified the warrant with the issuing court, identified themselves during the operation, and followed standard entry procedures. The review also covers compliance with operational protocols during the service of warrants in residential areas.
The said raid took place on March 30 in Barangay Cotta as part of efforts to locate a rape suspect. Police said verification with the issuing court should have been completed before attempting to serve the warrant.
Five operatives took part in the said raid, but complaints were filed against four following the release of a video. 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 through Raffy Tulfo in Action. They alleged that officers entered their home and conducted an inspection without proper authority during the said operation.
The officers were not in uniform and had no visible identification while carrying firearms during the entry. No physical copy of a warrant 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. A certificate of discharge dated October 13, 2025 was presented indicating that the case had 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 reviewed as part of the complaint and included in the ongoing investigation.
The video later aired on Raffy Tulfo in Action showed officers entering the residence while armed and in civilian clothing. It also showed that only a cellphone image of the warrant was presented during the inspection inside the house.
Quezon PPO Provincial Director Police Colonel Romulo Albacea addressed the issue during a press conference held following the incident. He outlined the sequence of events and responded to questions on procedure and accountability raised during the briefing.
He said the officers failed to verify 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 entry.
“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 said the entry was permitted and carried out to verify the suspect’s location inside the residence. They added that a barangay official was present and that no force was used during the entry.
Police said a man believed to be the suspect ran toward the house prompting officers to follow and check the premises. The entry was conducted to verify whether the individual was inside the residence at that time.
Albacea addressed claims circulating on social media regarding the manner of entry into the residence. He said the video showed that officers were allowed entry to verify the suspect’s presence.
“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. They said the officers failed to clearly identify themselves upon entry into the residence.
Police said one officer held a firearm during the said raid but did not aim it at anyone inside the residence. A review of the footage showed no signs of excessive force or physical abuse during the operation.
Tulfo, speaking in his program Raffy Tulfo in Action, raised concerns over the officers’ failure to follow procedures. 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 action. In response, the officers were relieved, disarmed, and placed under restrictive custody as the investigation proceeds.
Restrictive custody confines the officers to headquarters and removes them from field duties during the inquiry. 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 of the investigating unit and the results of the inquiry.
Quezon PPO leadership addressed the handling of the complaint during the press conference following the incident. 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. Administrative findings are expected to guide the next course of action following the investigation.
Family members reported distress following the incident particularly “Lolo Roberto” who was shaken after the entry. 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 operations. Appropriate action will be taken once the investigation is concluded and responsibilities are determined.
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