16 Dasmariñas Police Officers Face DOJ Complaint Over Alleged Illegal Arrest, Maltreatment of 18 Workers

**** by: Edjun Mariposque

****

February 11, 2026

3–5 minutes

Manila, Philippines — Sixteen personnel of the Dasmariñas City Police, including their chief, are facing criminal complaints before the Department of Justice (DOJ) in Manila, following allegations of illegal arrest, arbitrary detention, and maltreatment filed by 18 construction workers.

The complainants — composed of carpenters, laborers, and security guards assigned to a property in Dasmariñas City — formally lodged charges through their lead legal counsel, Atty. Fatima Villanueva. The complaint includes accusations of arbitrary illegal detention and illegal arrest stemming from what they described as an unlawful police operation.

“The charges we filed against the police officers include arbitrary illegal detention and illegal arrest, due to their unlawful arrest, maltreatment, and detention of the workers,” Villanueva said.

According to the workers, police officers allegedly ordered them to stop working before arresting them despite the absence of a warrant or any crime being committed at the time. They claimed they were forced to lie face down on the ground at gunpoint, with some alleging they were stepped on and pinned down, making it difficult to breathe.

The complainants further alleged that personal belongings — including wallets containing cash, identification cards, and work equipment left inside parked vehicles outside the property — went missing during the incident. Based on their own inquiry, they pointed to the arresting officers as suspects in the alleged theft.

Upon arrival at the police station, the workers said they were restrained and treated as criminal suspects without being informed of the reasons for their arrest, an experience they described as humiliating and distressing.

Prior to filing the criminal complaint with the DOJ, the group had already initiated an administrative case before the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM).

The identities of the police officers involved have not been disclosed pending investigation.

Villanueva emphasized that the filing of the complaint seeks to establish accountability based on evidence and in accordance with due process.

“We have entrusted the investigation to the Department of Justice,” she said.

As of press time, the police officers implicated in the complaint have yet to release an official statement regarding the allegations.

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