Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief PGen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. has approved the dismissal from service of seven police officers allegedly involved in the theft of evidence money confiscated during an operation against an illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) in Bagac, Bataan in 2024.

The seven officers, formerly assigned to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), were removed from service after some P13 million worth of evidence money went missing.

Among those dismissed is then cash evidence custodian Police Lt. Col. Joey Arandia, along with six others.

The dismissal stems from administrative cases for grave misconduct, grave dishonesty, and conduct unbecoming of a police officer.

According to the report, the incident took place in October 2024 when the CIDG conducted an operation against a POGO at the One Bataan Compound in the town of Bagac. The operation yielded P141 million in cash.

More than a year later, the court issued an omnibus order for the return of the money. On November 20, 2025, CIDG operatives returned the funds, but the amount was short by more than P13 million. The missing amount was allegedly replaced with boodle money.

The police investigation revealed that the dismissed officers divided the missing P13 million among themselves.