NABBED FOR EXTORTION. Staff Sgt. Roberto Galvez Francisco is arrested in an entrapment operation in Barangay Labuan, Zamboanga City on Friday (July 31, 2020). The entrapment was launched following complaints from motorists that he was extorting money from them. (Photo courtesy of Police Regional Office 9 Public Information Office)
ZAMBOANGA CITY – A traffic policeman here was arrested in an entrapment operation for alleged extortion, an official said Saturday.
Brig. Gen. Jesus Cambay Jr., Police Regional Office (PRO) 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula) director, identified the arrested policeman as Staff Sgt. Roberto Galvez Francisco of the traffic division of the Zamboanga City Police Office (ZCPO) Station 10.
Cambay said Francisco's arrest in Barangay Labuan here on Friday afternoon came after several motorists complained that the police officer was engaged in mulcting activities.
He said the entrapment was carried out by the Regional Intelligence Division 9, Philippine National Police - Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group - Mindanao field unit, Regional Intelligence Unit 9, Regional Mobile Force Battalion 9, and ZCPO’s Station 10.
Francisco yielded PHP1,000 in marked money, consisting of one PHP500 and five PHP100 bills, and a caliber .45 pistol with seven rounds of ammunition, which is believed to be a loose firearm after the suspect failed to present documents, Cambay said.
Francisco will face summary dismissal proceeding, he said, adding that he wanted to see the police officer "ousted from the PNP service.”
“This office (PRO-9) does not tolerate any act in violation of the PNP existing rules and regulations. We will continue to cleanse our ranks from misfits and make sure that corrupt, inept, and undesirables will be dealt with drastically,” Cambay added. (With reports from Ely E. Dumaboc/PNA)
