3 COPS ARRESTED FOR EXTORTION

AGENTS of the Philippine National Police-Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group on Wednesday arrested in an entrapment operation three members of the Rodriguez Municipal Police Station in Rizal accused of illegally arresting and beating a local resident and threatening to file charges against him if he won’t heed their P100,000 demand.

PNP-IMEG director Brig. Gen. Warren F. De Leon identified the arrested suspects as Senior MSgt. Jose Reyes and Staff Sgts. Ramel Delorino and Glenn Libres.

De Leon said the three will be facing criminal charges for robbery-extortion, illegal detention and trespass to dwelling.

According to De Leon, around 8 a.m. Wednesday, his men, supported by officers from the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group’s Major Crime Investigation Unit and the Rodriguez Municipal Police Station, conducted the sting at 289 Linco St., Bgy. Rosario.

Recovered during the operation were the P37,000 worth of boodle money topped by two marked P1,000 bills and six mobile phones.

All three policemen were also stripped of their PNP-issued 9mm semi-automatic pistols with six loaded magazines.

A white Toyota Hilux with conduction sticker A7Y263 being used by the suspects was also seized by the PNP-IMEG.

The official said that they found out that last Tuesday that the three accused policemen went to the house of Kristina Gabriel to serve a warrant for her arrest for violation of Batas Pambansa 22 or the Anti-Bouncing Check Law.

However, when the three failed to find the woman in the said address, they forcibly handcuffed the latter’s live-in partner and dragged him into a local police service vehicle.

While in the vehicle, the complainant said he was beaten and told by the accused that if he will not give them P100,000, he will be charged for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs At of 2002.

The man was also told that they won’t arrest Gabriel anymore if their monetary demand will be heeded.

De Leon said that the man was released by the suspects on the same day but was instructed to deliver them the P100,000 they were demanding at 7 a.m. Wednesday.

Unknown to the suspects, the man sought the help of the PNP-IMEG in arresting the accused, triggering the operation.

The three are now being held at the IMEG lock-up facility.

De Leon said they will also recommend the filing of an administrative case for grave misconduct against the accused policemen before the PNP Internal Affairs Service,