19 MPD anti-drug cops sacked over kidnapping, extortion raps

Nineteen members of the Manila Police District (MPD) anti-drug unit have been sacked following allegations of kidnapping and extortion during an anti-narcotics operation.

The officers are accused of kidnapping two men, identified as Dwayne and Nicole Owen Sollesa, in Sampaloc on September 9.

Instead of being brought to the MPD headquarters, the victims were reportedly taken to Marikina and Rizal province while being beaten and threatened.

Sollesa stated that his cellphone containing P10,000 in earnings and his motorcycle were taken by the armed men, who were later identified as MPD-DDEU operatives.

Dwayne, Sollesa's friend, managed to escape and filed administrative complaints against the involved police personnel with the National Police Commission (Napolcom).

The MPD District Drug Enforcement Unit (DDEU) chief's unit has been relieved as an investigation into the incident is underway.

The Manila City Prosecutor's Office has referred the drug case filed by the MPD-DDEU against their accusers for further investigation, as it was found to be lacking evidence, leading to the release of the two drug suspects.