BUTUAN CITY – The chief of police in the town of Buenavista in Agusan del Norte was arrested by the operatives of Philippine National Police (PNP) Integrity Monitoring Enforcement Group (IMEG) in an entrapment on Tuesday for robbery-extortion.
Police Regional Office-13 director, Brig. Gen. Joselito Esquivel Jr. said the entrapment operation against Capt. Junil Gultiano was carried out following complaints received from several businessmen in the area.
“The operation stemmed from the complaints of local businessmen that he was extorting an amount of PHP500 every week from each member of Buenavista Furniture Association (BFA) and PHP5 per board feet of every lumber sold. During the entrapment, he received the PHP1,000 marked money,” Esquivel said.
Esquivel said Gultiano, 44, allegedly threatened the members of the local furniture association of arrest if they fail to heed his demand.
Gultiano will be charged with violations of Republic Act No. 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and Republic Act No. 6713 or the Act Establishing a Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.
“The leadership of PRO-13 never tolerates the wrongdoings or illegal activities of our uniformed personnel regardless of his or her rank,” Esquivel said.
He added that the internal cleansing of the PNP will continue even amid the health crisis the country is facing brought by the 2019 coronavirus disease (Covid-19).
“This operation shall serve as a stern warning to all police officers that they will face the full wrath of the law should they violate their sworn mandate,” Esquivel said. (PNA)
