MANILA – Operatives of the Philippine National Police (PNP) anti-scalawag unit have arrested three police officers in Rodriguez, Rizal for extorting money from a resident whom they accused of involvement in illegal drugs.
In a statement Wednesday, PNP-Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group (IMEG) chief Brig. Gen. Warren de Leon identified the police officers as PSMS. Jose Reyes, Staff Sgt. Ramel Delorino; and SSgt. Glenn Libres, all assigned at Rodriguez Municipal police.
De Leon said members of the IMEG, Rodriguez police, and Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) launched an entrapment at the residence of unnamed complainant on Linco Street, Barangay Rosario, Montalban, Rizal at around 8 a.m. Wednesday.
According to the report, the suspects went to the residence of the complainant on Nov. 14 allegedly to serve a warrant of arrest against his live-in partner, Kristina Gabriel for violation of BP No. 22 (Bouncing Check Law) but Gabriel is no longer residing there.
During the police operation, the complainant was forcibly handcuffed and was boarded on a PNP service vehicle.
The complainant was allegedly beaten and threatened to cooperate, or will be charged with violation of R.A No. 9165 (Comprehensive Anti-Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002).
The suspects demanded PHP100,000 from the complainant so that Gabriel would not be arrested.
The complainant was released on the same day with instruction that the money must be given to the suspects the following day.
The suspects yielded two marked PHP1,000 bills, 35 PHP1,000 bills (boodle money), three PNP Glock 9mm pistols with six magazines, a white Toyota Hilux with Conduction Sticker No. A7Y263, and six mobile phones.
The suspects will be facing violation of RPC Art. 294 robbery extortion, illegal detention, trespass to dwelling, and administrative cases.
They are detained at the IMEG custodial facility at Camp Crame, Quezon City.
The IMEG is the primary PNP unit going after erring policemen while the Internal Affairs Service is in charge of initiating administrative charges. (PNA)