A POLICE intelligence officer assigned in Carmen town was arrested by operatives of the Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group Central Visayas (Imeg 7) after he was caught in the act of extorting money from the mother of a detainee on Friday, March 12, 2021.

Executive MSgt. Julius Medura Obañana, who heads Carmen’s intelligence section, will be facing criminal and administrative charges for extortion.

Maj. Alejandro Batobalonos, Imeg 7 chief, said Obañana had a detainee who was arrested for illegal drugs and whose motorcycle was not included in the list of confiscated evidence upon his arrest.

When the detainee’s mother attempted to claim her son’s motorcycle, Obañana reportedly denied the request unless she paid P3,000.

Alarmed by the amount, the detainee’s mother sought the help of Imeg 7.

One of Imeg 7’s operatives posed as a relative of the detainee and met with Obañana to turn over the cash.

As Obañana accepted the money, Imeg 7 operatives swooped in to arrest the officer.

Superbalita Cebu tried to secure Obañana’s comment but he refused to issue one, adding he will answer the matter before the court.

Batobalonos said Obañana had been working as a police officer for 24 years just before he was arrested.

“He is already 24 years in service. It’s a shame he threw all that away for such a small amount,” said Batobalonos.

He said their operations against erring police officers is part of the Philippine National Police’s internal cleansing campaign. (AYB, BBT / JKV)