‘Extortion’ cops face harsher penalty

THREE members of the Mobile Patrol Group (MPG), who were accused of extorting a fair operator in Barangay Busay, Cebu City, have been recommended for summary hearing proceedings for a case of grave misconduct.

Senior Supt. Mariano Natu-el Jr., acting director of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO), said the policemen will face “harsher” penalties for allegedly being directly involved in the collection, which was caught by an an amateur video.

Five others, who were also involved in the alleged extortion activity, will only face
less grave misconduct.

“We recommended the case will be resolved in the regional police headquarters. We found out that our penalty of one month for them is not enough. It’s beyond my control,” Natu-el said.

The recommendation came from Investigation and Detective Management Branch (IDMB) and was forwarded to Police Regional Office (PRO) 7.

In the Philippine National Police (PNP) Disciplinary Rules of Procedure, if a policeman is found guilty, he will face suspension, demotion, forfeiture of salary or dismissal from service.

Natuel said the incident reportedly happened early January this year. A 30-second video showed a mobile patrol service vehicle arriving at the fair in the area.

A staff at the fair approached the police vehicle and handed over something to the policemen.

The names of the policemen are withheld pending the completion of the investigation.

MPG Chief David Señor said they learned that four MPG vehicles have been to the fair every night, allegedly to collect money.

The fair staff allegedly each gave a contribution and gave P200 to each vehicle.

In a separate interview, PRO-7 Director Marcelo Garbo Jr. said he will not allow the policemen to go unpunished.

He said extortion is a grave offense that he will not tolerate.