M/Sgt. Sherwin Gamit (Photo courtesy of PNP)
MANILA – The police officer arrested in Cauayan City, Isabela for allegedly trying to extort money from the family of an arrested drug suspect and for illegal possession of firearms is facing dismissal charges, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar said Monday.
Eleazar has ordered the start of administrative proceedings against M/Sgt. Sherwin Gamit who was assigned to the warrant section of the Cauayan City Police.
"Despite our constant warning, these corrupt police continue with their illicit ways. I assure the public that we continue our aggressive campaign to rid our ranks of this kind of police destroying our organization," Eleazar said in Filipino.
Gamit was arrested on Sunday for robbery-extortion and illegal possession of firearms in front of the Our Lady of the Pillar Catholic Church along Rizal Avenue in Cauayan City at around 10:52 a.m.
The arresting team composed of the Regional Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Team, Isabela police intelligence unit, and Cauayan police members caught Gamit while receiving marked and boodle money from Vanessa Marcos-Velasquez, sister of drug suspect Darelle James Marcos.
After Velasquez handed the cash to Gamit, police officers arrested him.
Since July 2016, more than 5,200 policemen had been dismissed from the service while at least 18,000 more were penalized.
The dismissed personnel were involved in cases ranging from grave misconduct, serious irregularities, and other criminal activities while some members of the police force were meted disciplinary sanctions for administrative offenses and involvement in irregularities.
These penalties include demotion in rank, suspension, forfeiture of salary, reprimand, restriction to quarters and withholding of privileges. (PNA)
