Quezon City Police Say Viral ‘Arrest’ of Three Men in Loyola Heights Was Part of EMPO Challenge 2026 Exercise
The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) has clarified that a viral video showing police officers apparently arresting three men along Xavierville Avenue was not a real arrest but only a simulated police operation.
The footage, which spread on Facebook on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, showed three men lying face down on the road in Barangay Loyola Heights while uniformed officers in reflectorized vests restrained them, Daily Tribune reported.
The video gave the impression that an actual arrest was taking place in the area.
However, according to the QCPD, the scene was part of its Enhanced Managing Police Operations (EMPO) Challenge 2026, a coordinated simulation exercise designed to test how ready police personnel are to respond to emergencies.
The activity was reportedly held at around 9:20 a.m. on November 10, Journal News Online reported.
The police said the exercise was controlled and was carried out in coordination with the concerned barangay officials beforehand. Its goal was to measure and improve the readiness of officers in handling emergencies and critical situations.
The EMPO Challenge serves as a platform to assess the operational capabilities of QCPD police stations through scenario-based exercises, based on an earlier report on the competition.
Following the incident, the QCPD reminded the public not to immediately believe videos and information circulating on social media. Police urged netizens to verify reports through official channels to avoid spreading misleading information and misunderstanding incidents.
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