MANILA, Philippines — Ten police officers from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) have been placed under restriction at the Philippine National Police (PNP) Custodial Facility after they were accused of kidnapping, extortion, and planting evidence during a raid in Manila.

The PNP Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group (IMEG) recommended administrative charges against the officers based on its April 21 report, which found that the group allegedly abducted several individuals during a February 17 raid in Tondo and later demanded money in exchange for their release.

According to the investigation, the officers raided a warehouse inside the First Tondo Complex around 3:45 p.m. and brought the individuals they arrested to the CIDG Southern District Field Unit office in Taguig City, supposedly for violating gun laws. However, the report said the arrests were unlawful and the accused cops later demanded a payout.

The CIDG said the officers will face administrative cases for grave misconduct, conduct unbecoming of a police officer, and neglect of duty. They may also be held criminally liable for kidnapping and serious illegal detention (RA 1084), planting of evidence (RA 10591), and unlawful arrest (Article 269, Revised Penal Code).

CIDG Director PMGen Nicolas Torre III ordered the immediate relief and reassignment of the ten officers to holding units at CIDG headquarters. Their firearms and badges have also been recalled.

“Hindi ko papayagan at itotolerate ang mga ganitong pangyayari sa CIDG,” Torre said, adding that the agency supports PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil’s zero-tolerance policy on police abuse.

Torre said the incident should serve as a warning to all CIDG members that even the smallest violation of the law will be dealt with firmly.

The CIDG has not released the names of the officers involved.