Cops nab woman in Taguig for extorting money from drug suspect’s kin

MANILA, Philippines — A woman was arrested in an entrapment operation in Taguig City after she allegedly extorted money from a relative of a drug suspect.

According to police, Regional Special Operations Unit (RSOU) National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) operatives arrested Hasnaira Saban Haslimon for robbery extortion around 6 p.m. on January 22.

The arrest stemmed from a complaint filed by Maria Ella Bongao Obre, who accused an alias “Toytoy” and three other policemen of demanding P1 million from her in exchange for the downgrading of her cousin’s case allegedly from selling illegal drugs, which is non-bailable, to mere possession, which is bailable under the law.

Obre’s cousin was arrested on January 21 during an anti-drug operation by Taguig City Police Station’s Station Drug Enforcement Unit (SDEU).

The arrested suspect, Haslimon, who was allegedly instructed to transact on behalf of Toytoy, contacted the complainant and had agreed for Obre to pay a lower amount of P150,000.

An entrapment operation was then hatched by police operatives against the suspect.

Haslimon arrived at a fast food restaurant located in Tuktukan, Taguig City and authorities arrested her after the transaction with the complainant was completed.

Hasmilon would face a case of robbery-extortion, police said. Toytoy, who remains at large, would also be charged, police added.

Further investigation, meanwhile, is being undertaken to identify the three police officers allegedly involved in the scheme.  /kga