PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) chief, General Guillermo Lorenzo T. Eleazar on Monday ordered the PNP Internal Affairs Service (PNP-IAS) to expedite their investigation of the reported extortion activities of six policemen in Manila even as he assured Senator Panfilo ‘Ping’ M. Lacson they would fully investigate complaints about mulcting policemen in the city.

Eleazar said he has tasked the PNP-IAS to ensure the filing of appropriate administrative charges against the accused.

“I commend the Manila Police District for acting on the complaint of extortion that led to the arrest of these six policemen. Let this serve as an assurance to our kababayans that we will not tolerate these illegal activity and we are serious in weeding out these kinds of policemen from our ranks,” the PNP chief said.

The MPD headed by Brigadier Gen. Leo M. Francisco reported to the Office of the Chief,PNP that the six police officers allegedly extorted money from two curfew violators in Manila whom they apprehended last Thursday.

They have the ranks of patrolman, police staff sergeant and police corporal.

One of those arrested by the policemen was a chairman of the Sangguniang Kabataan. When they were caught by the police, a tube pipe or alleged drug paraphernalia was seized from them but no illegal drugs were confiscated from the curfew violators.

The violators were brought to the Padre Algue Police-Community Precinct wherein the policemen allegedly asked money from them in exchange for their freedom. The two raised P47,000 by supposedly pawning their motorcycle and a gold necklace.

When they were freed, the two reported the alleged extortion to other police officers.

The MPD is already investigating the incident even as Francisco said that the accused cops were disarmed and slapped with criminal charges for robbery extortion.

Eleazar urged the public to come forward and immediately report if they know other police officers involved in illegal activities such as this.

“Hindi natin palalagpasin ito lalo na kapag napatunayan sa imbestigasyon na sangkot sila sa kalokohang ito,” he said.

“Both administrative and criminal cases would be filed against these policemen depending on the outcome of the investigation, and I assure the public that I will personally monitor the progress of the investigation of our Internal Affairs Service as well as the conduct of investigation on the revelation made by our former Chief PNP, Senator Panfilo Lacson about cases of extortion in Manila,” he added.

Lacson earlier revealed that there are some policemen who are engaged in extortion activities in Manila, especially in public markets.

“The PNP takes every report of wrongdoings of rogue cops seriously. Binabalaan ko ang mga pulis na sangkot sa mga ganitong gawain na tumigil na dahil kung hindi ay mananagot kayo sa akin. Sisiguraduhin ko na bukod sa asunto sa korte ay matatanggal kayo sa serbisyo,” said Eleazar.