PNP-IMEG collars 3 MPD cops for ‘rob-extort’
THREE members of the Manila Police District (MPD) Station 5 accused of extortion were arrested by agents of the Philippine National Police-Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group (PNP-IMEG) in an entrapment operation late evening Monday, a report to PNP Chief General Rodolfo S. Azurin Jr. said.
A Police Staff Sergeant, a Corporal, and a Patrolman were placed under arrest during the 10:45 p.m. Monday sting inside the MPD Station 5 Paco Police Community Precinct (PCP) along Pedro Gil Street corner A. Linao St. in Paco, Manila, said PNP-IMEG Director Brig. Gen. Warren F. de Leon.
According to the official, members of the PNP-IMEG Counter-Intelligence Division and their National Capital Region Field Unit (NCRFU) launched the entrapment operation following a complaint that they were demanding P2,000 from the driver of an impounded tricycle.
De Leon said that the driver complained to their office that the accused policemen asked him to produce the money in exchange for the release of his tricycle, which was impounded for a traffic violation, specifically going against the traffic flow.
During the sting, the P2,000 in marked bills were recovered from the suspects, who were promptly arrested and taken to the PNP-IMEG headquarters in Camp Crame for inquest proceeding.
De Leon said that criminal charges for extortion will be filed against the three policemen. He added that they will recommend to MPD Director Brig. Gen. Andre P. Dizon the filing of administrative charges against the accused for grave misconduct.
All three denied the charges against them.
The arrest of the three came in the wake of a commitment by the new PNP-IMEG director to go all-out against “rogues” in police uniform. The campaign will target active, dismissed, retired, or suspended police personnel accused of involvement in criminal activities and other abusive acts and irregularities, De Leon said.
Shortly after he assumed his post, de Leon announced the arrest of an active member of the Police Regional Office 7 (PRO7) wanted for a robbery with a double homicide case.
De Leon said his men arrested the suspect in full coordination with PRO7 Director Brig. Gen. Roque Edgardo DP Vega. The accused is the subject of a warrant of arrest issued in connection with the killing of couple Peter and Malou Baringui-an in San Fernando, Cebu, last February 13. By Alfred Dalizon and Jon-jon Reyes
