Master Sgt. David Gatchalian (PNP photo)
MANILA – A police officer assigned at the Bocaue Municipal Police Station was arrested for alleged involvement in robbery-extortion activities in Bulacan, the anti-scalawag unit of the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Sunday.
Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group chief, Brig. Gen. Ronald Lee, said Master Sgt. David Gatchalian was arrested in front of his residence along Mendoza St., Barangay Lulomboy in Bocaue around 6:54 p.m. Saturday in an entrapment operation.
“We have received information regarding the practice of the suspect to threaten known drug personalities and demand cash in exchange of protection for their illegal activities," Lee said in a statement.
The suspect was arrested shortly after he received the PHP10,000 worth of boodle money topped with a marked bill and a Samsung phone from the complainant, Lee said.
Brig. Gen. Rodel Sermonia, Regional Director of Police Regional Office 3, ordered a probe into the possibility that the accused was acting in cahoots with other police officers in their illegal activities.
Gatchalian is facing criminal and administrative charges, Lee said. (PNA)
