CAMP BGEN. VICENTE P. LIM, Calamba City: Three policemen were implicated in the robbery in band at the Grand Centennial Homes in Barangay Magdalo-potol, Kawit, Cavite, on February 13.

BGen. Paul Kenneth Lucas, regional director of Police Regional Office Calabarzon, named the three Philippine National Police personnel as SMS Jhon Paolo Maigue Mellona, SMS Reynaldo Andrada Quilit Jr. and Cpl. Lynard Pastrana Pareja.

Lucas said that in the course of the investigation, it was determined that the suspects, who forcibly entered two residential houses, were wearing black jackets and gray long sleeves with cap and face mask, and at gunpoint, hogtied the victims and carted away valuable items, including cell phones, identification documents, a short firearm and an undisclosed amount of cash.

Authorities from Kawit Municipal Police Station and the Provincial Intelligence Unit identified the vehicle utilized by the suspects — a white Toyota Hi-Ace van registered to a private individual in Tanza, Cavite.

The discovery led to the identification of the van's owner, who subsequently disclosed the identity of the individual who rented the vehicle on February 13.

As it turned out, Paolo Maigue Mellona, who was assigned at the Cavite Provincial Intelligence and Detective Management Unit as pre-charge investigator, was identified by the van owner as the one who had rented his van.

The initial lead resulted in the identification of the other suspects implicated in the robbery, where an Indonesian was victimized.

Quilit was assigned at the Provincial Intelligence Unit of Cavite PPO, while Pareja was with the Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit of Laguna PPO.

The investigators said the three policemen and their two civilian cohorts, and four John Does are facing charges of robbery in band following a formal complaint filed by the victims against them on Tuesday, March 5, at the Cavite Prosecutor's Office in Imus City, Cavite.

Following the filing of charges, the three police suspects have been relieved from their respective units and reassigned to the Regional Headquarters Holding Area Section and placed under restrictive custody.

Lucas ordered the Regional Investigation and Detective Management Division in coordination with the Regional Internal Affairs Service to conduct a parallel administrative investigation.

"I reiterate my clear stance against misconduct by any member of our force. We condemn such actions in the strongest terms and assure the public that these officers, if found guilty, will meet the full arms of the law," he said.

"We will ensure the safety and security of our community, and we shall have zero tolerance for any form of criminal activity involving members of our police force," Lucas added.

The three erring policemen were named during a press conference that took place in Camp BGen. Vicente Lim here in Barangay Mayapa.

At around 5 p.m. of February 13, at least 10 armed men entered the house of the victims, including Fendy Apriyanto, an adult, Pogo supervisor and resident of Grand Centennial Home, Barangay Magdalo, Putol, Kawit, Cavite.

The suspects tied up the victim, security guard, staff, helpers and bodyguards who were inside the house and began to get the jewelry and money of the victims.

Cavite Provincial Director Col. Eleuterio Ricardo Jr. and Kawit Police Chief LtCol. Richard Corpuz also attended the briefing.

The four civilians who were with them have not been named.

Lucas instructed the Regional Investigation and Detective Management Division to subject them to a parallel administrative investigation. The suspects said they had nothing to do with the incident.