3 men using PNP, CIDG chiefs’ names for extortion arrested
PHILIPPINE National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) agents arrested three men accused of using the names of PNP chief General Rommel Francisco D. Marbil and CIDG director Major Gen. Leo Francisco in an alleged extortion racket in Mindanao last Thursday.
The three were apprehended by members of the CIDG Regional Office 12 in an entrapment in General Santos City following days of surveillance, said Francisco.
Seized from them were some loaded firearms. Targets of the three in their supposed-to-be ‘payola’ in exchange for protection were illegal gambling operators in Region 12 and other nearby areas, the police said.
According to Francisco, they have received information that the suspects were demanding as much as P2.5 million from illegal gambling operators to enable them to continue their illicit activities without being touched by the police.
However, he said that there is no truth to the suspects’ claim since they already have a strict policy against illegal gambling and does not tolerate anybody who are engaged in it or are earning from it.
The official also appealed to the public to report any such illegal activity taking place in their neighborhood.
The suspects will be facing criminal charges for violation of Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulations Act of 2013.
