Cops nab PDEA agent for ‘extorting’ money from drug suspects’ kin

SAN PEDRO CITY—A member of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) was arrested by the police in Laguna province on Thursday night for allegedly extorting money in exchange for the release of two men held for illegal drugs, reports said on Friday.

Erwin Magpantay, 36, an agent of PDEA in Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) region, was arrested in an entrapment operation past 6 p.m. in Calamba City.

When asked, Mary Ann Lorenzo, PDEA regional office spokesperson, declined to say if other PDEA agents were involved in Magpantay’s activities.

Lorenzo said the case was under an internal investigation by the PDEA.

A report from Supt. Romeo Macapaz, Calabarzon police intelligence chief, said Magpantay led an antidrug operation in Valenzuela City earlier this month that resulted in the arrest of five men.

The agent released three suspects but held the other two in exchange for P1.5 million. It was the victims’ families who sought help from the Philippine National Police in Camp Crame.

Supt. Chitadel Gaoiran, Calabarzon police spokesperson, said undercover policemen arrested Magpantay after the supposed bribe was paid.

She said policemen also found a high-powered rifle, two guns, and a tampered driver’s license from Magpantay’s vehicle during the entrapment. JPV