SEVEN police officers assigned at the Manila Police District (MPD) were arrested for allegedly extorting money from who they claim was a drug personality.
In a statement, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Director Major General Anthony Aberin said the police officers -- a police lieutenant, three police staff sergeants and three patrolmen -- were arrested on the basis of the complaint filed by a 49-year-old victim before the NCRPO’s Regional Intelligence Division (RID) on Monday evening, June 30.
According to the victim, the police suspects arrested and detained him on June 20 for drug charges.
He said he denied involvement in the illegal drug trade.
The complainant said the police suspects then allegedly demanded P500,000 from his wife in exchange for his release.
The wife was only able to produce P20,000 and transferred the amount to the police through an e-wallet application, subsequently releasing the victim without any formal criminal charges.
Upon learning that the victim filed a complaint before the MPD, the police suspects returned the extorted money to the victims also through an e-wallet application, in an apparent attempt to dissuade legal action.
Seized from the policemen were seven mobile phones used in the alleged extortion, five official police IDs, screenshots of digital transactions and conversations and remittance records of the extorted amount.
“The arrests were carried out following the swift validation of reports and complaints that exposed the involvement of the said personnel in illegal activities while in the performance of their duties,” said Aberin.
“The immediate arrest of involved PNP personnel reflects the uncompromising enforcement of accountability within the police force. Internal cleansing remains a top priority, and NCRPO is committed to ensuring that only those who embody professionalism, discipline, and integrity will remain in service,” he added.
The arrested officers were immediately relieved from their respective posts and were put under restrictive custody pending the filing of charges against them for robbery-extortion, grave threats, arbitrary detention and violations of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, and Presidential Decree 1829, which pertains to obstruction of justice.
Aberin said the operation was in line with the instruction of PNP Chief General Nicolas Torre III to focus on police accountability.
“There will be no second chances for police scalawags. NCRPO will not allow these criminals to taint the integrity and dedication of those who are doing good in the service. Rogue policemen will be arrested, detained, charged and removed from the service, based on due process of law,” said Aberin.
Aberin ordered an investigation and relieved the commander of MPD Station 5, where the suspects were assigned, for command responsibility and for failure to act on the case. (TPM/SunStar Philippines)