Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla today confirmed that six personnel from the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) have been identified as suspects in the embezzlement of P13.45 million in monetary evidence seized during the October 29, 2024 illegal POGO raid in Bagac, Bataan.

The DILG Chief said the findings followed a careful and thorough investigation focused on the chain of custody and the accountability of every officer who handled the evidence.

“After careful investigation, the 6 members involved in the pilferage of evidence have been identified. The chain of custody has been studied and perfected and we have now determined who the real culprits are,” said Remulla in a press conference at Camp Crame in Quezon City.

According to the PNP, a total of Php 141,133,483 was seized after a joint operation by the Presidential Anti Organized Crime Commission and the CIDG Anti Organized Crime Unit implementing Republic Act 9208 or the Anti Trafficking in Person at the Central One Compound in Bagac, Bataan.

After review, the Court ruled that the search was illegal and ordered the release of the One Bataan compound along with the seized funds.

Before the turnover, CIDG discovered that the cash evidence stored at the Anti Organized Crime Unit was incomplete and that no proper turnover had been conducted.

According to reports, nine boxes were unsealed in front of the legal counsel of One Bataan. It was during this process that over P13 million was found missing from the supposed P141 million. In its place, counterfeit money or boodle money was discovered inside several boxes.

“It was held in custody by several police officers and when the court ruled that the search was illegal, the money was returned to the owners. Upon opening of the evidence, out of the 141 million, only 128 million was left. What was left in the other box was boodle money, fake money,” the DILG Chief stressed.

Criminal and administrative charges will be filed against the police personnel involved. The PNP noted that investigations are still ongoing and all six officers have been placed under restrictive custody.

Also present during the press conference were PNP Acting Chief Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., CIDG Acting Director Robert Alexander Morico II, and NAPOLCOM Vice Chairperson Atty. Rafael Vicente Calinisan.