MANILA – The Philippine National Police (PNP) has dismissed seven police officers from service over the disappearance of ₱13 million in evidence money seized after a raid on a Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) hub in Bataan in October 2024.

Under a general order, a police lieutenant colonel was dismissed effective May 12, 2026 for grave neglect of duty.

In a separate special order, a police executive master sergeant, a senior master sergeant, and four patrolmen were dismissed effective May 13 for nine counts of grave misconduct, grave dishonesty, and conduct unbecoming of police officers.

All of those dismissed were members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG). Both orders were dated May 13, 2026.

The dismissal orders also carried penalties of cancellation of eligibility, forfeiture of retirement benefits, and perpetual disqualification from re-employment in government service.

The case stemmed from an Oct. 29, 2024 operation conducted by CIDG operatives and personnel of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) through a search warrant linked to alleged qualified human trafficking violations.

The missing evidence money surfaced in September 2025 after CIDG chief Maj. Gen. Robert Alexander Morico II ordered a comprehensive inventory of case files and evidence under the unit’s custody following his assumption of post.

During the inventory, CIDG’s newly designated evidence custodian discovered that nine boxes containing cash were missing from records. An investigation later showed that a former CIDG evidence custodian had brought the boxes home.

The nine boxes were later returned to CIDG headquarters, but a subsequent audit showed that ₱13.45 million in cash was missing.

One of the officers involved later admitted participation in the pilferage and identified other alleged accomplices.

Criminal complaints for qualified theft, malversation, falsification of public documents, and illegal possession or use of false treasury or bank notes have been filed against the officers involved.