(Photo courtesy of IMEG)
MANILA – A member of the Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) was arrested for alleged extortion during an entrapment in Parañaque City on Thursday.
In a statement on Friday, PNP chief Gen. Debold Sinas, citing reports from the Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group (IMEG), identified the suspect as Staff Sgt. Marlon Salim, who was assigned at the Regional Highway Patrol Unit-National Capital Region at the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) sub-office.
Salim was arrested after receiving money from a victim in exchange for the release of a traffic accident investigation report, which is among the requirements for vehicle accident insurance claim.
Initial investigation showed that the suspect was the duty investigator of a traffic accident that happened along the Skyway northbound lane in Barangay San Martin de Porres at around 5:30 p.m. on January 26.
The suspect informed the complainant that the total amount of fines for his violations amounted to PHP15,000. However, it was negotiated and Salim instead demanded PHP5,000 from the complainant for the release of his van.
Upon receiving information on the negotiated amount, the complainant coordinated with the IMEG, which resulted in the arrest of the suspect.
The suspect is now in IMEG custody for documentation pending the filing of criminal and administrative charges. (PNA)
