POLICE arrested four of their fellow policemen assigned at the Manila Police District (MPD) over their alleged involvement in the extortion of an arrested drug suspect.

National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) acting director Brigadier General Debold Sinas identified the arrested erring cops as Nickson Mina, Juan Carlo Guzman and Fransis Mikko Gagarin, all with the rank of corporal, and Patrolman Tom Hikilan.

He said the four were arrested during an entrapment operation inside the substation of the Ermita Police Station in Baseco, Tondo following a complaint received by the Integrity Monitoring Enforcement Group (IMEG) from the spouse of an arrested drug suspect.

The complainant said the cops initially demanded for P500,000 in exchange for the rrduction of charges against her husband. This was lowered to P200,000.

The husband was arrested on Tuesday, November 12, over alleged involvement in illegal drugs.

"They (four cops) will be charged for extortion in criminal case and grave misconduct for administrative case which carries a penalty of dismissal in the police service," said Sinas.

He said investigation on the legitimacy of the operation that led to the arrest of the alleged drug suspect is still ongoing. (SunStar Philippines)