Duterte says he dismissed 3 cops over body camera extortion

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday revealed that he dismissed three police officers for allegedly extorting around P5 million from a bidder of body cameras to be used in the drug war.

“In the police, the three majors were working on a body camera and they were arguing because of money. What else? Because of corruption. And so I said, fire them, dismiss them,” he said in a speech at the 80th  anniversary of the Department of National Defense at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.

“If they do not want to be dismissed, just do not allow them to enter the camp. Just tell him, ‘You are no longer a policeman.’ ‘Who said?’ You say, ‘Duterte.’ ‘I have not been investigated.’ Never mind the investigation. We’ll come to that later,” he added.

The President did not identify the police officers but Philippine National Police officer-in-charge  Lt. Gen. Archie Gamboa identified them as Maj. Emerson Sales and Maj. Rholly Caraggayan, who are on absent without official leave (AWOL) status — and Maj. Angel Beros.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1188235/3-cops-in-alleged-shakedown-of-body-cam-bidder-face-expulsion

Gamboa said the three may also face criminal charges if evidence warrants.

GSG