MANILA, Philippines — A police officer and his cohort were arrested for alleged extortion on police service applicants, particularly those with problems on ideal body mass index, key requirement of the recruitment program of the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Brig. Gen. Marni Marcos Jr., director of the Police Regional Office in Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (PRO-BARMM), on Tuesday identified the suspects as Cpl. Harold Julaton, a liaison officer at Lanao Del Sur Police Provincial Office, and Janet Reyes Sarip.
According to Marcos, the suspects, who were arrested in an entrapment operation on November 14, were allegedly asking P25,000 from every PNP applicant in exchange for a better chance of entering the police service.
Some applicants have surfaced and expressed willingness to testify against the suspects.
Marcos said a warrant to examine data on cellphones used in the alleged transactions was also requested by the police.
He said the suspects have been involved in anomalous transactions for the past several years but police were only able to apprehend the suspects after securing evidence.
The suspects are now in the custody of the Parang police for further investigation and for the filing of a criminal case against them.
Marcos said the PRO-BARMM condemns the alleged illegal activities of the suspects, especially as the PNP intensifies its internal cleansing program to rid the organization of scalawags.
“The PRO is in the height of its internal cleansing and has been vocal in the organization’s stand when it comes to rogue cops that bring the PNP into a bad light,” he said.
“We assure the public most especially the victims of unruly acts of police officers that justice shall be served and the concerned PNP personnel will surely be dealt with criminal and administrative proceedings,” he added.