MANILA, Philippines — The National Police Commission (Napolcom) has dismissed a Manila patrolman after finding him guilty of raping an unconscious woman inside a motel, citing grave misconduct and conduct unbecoming of a police officer. The decision was announced on May 4, 2026, following an investigation backed by substantial evidence.

Napolcom identified the officer as Patrolman Joshua Mendoza, who was assigned to the Manila Police District.

The commission said Mendoza was found guilty “based on substantial evidence, including eyewitness testimony, medico-legal findings, closed-circuit television footage and the consistent and corroborated account of the complainant.”

The victim, who identified herself only as “Anna,” filed her complaint in January 2026. She recounted that she had joined Mendoza and his friends for drinks a month earlier, but lost consciousness and later awoke inside a motel where Mendoza was allegedly raping her.

Security footage presented by the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption reportedly showed Mendoza carrying Anna into the motel while she was unconscious.

Napolcom Commissioner Rafael Vicente Calinisan condemned the act, saying, “There is absolutely no place in the police service for this kind of violence and moral depravity. Exploiting a woman who is unconscious is not just a crime, it is a grave assault on the dignity of the uniform and a betrayal of public trust.”

Mendoza had been on absence without official leave since the incident, according to Manila Police District spokesperson Maj. Philipp Ines, who confirmed that a criminal complaint had already been filed against him.

Two weeks after the victim lodged her complaint, Mendoza surrendered to the National Bureau of Investigation. His camp has denied the accusations, claiming the sexual encounter was consensual.

Napolcom clarified that another police officer named in the complaint was cleared of administrative liability due to insufficient evidence.

Lawmakers and women’s rights groups have since called for stronger accountability measures within the police force, stressing that cases like this highlight systemic issues of abuse and impunity.

The dismissal of Mendoza underscores Napolcom’s stance that sexual violence committed by law enforcers is not only a criminal act but also a betrayal of public trust, warranting the harshest administrative penalty.