3 cops accused of taking P827,000 from POGO workers

MANILA, Philippines — The police are looking for three of their colleagues who broke into a compound housing Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) employees in Muntinlupa City last week and took their valuables worth around P827,000.

Pat. Ryan John Mercado, Cpl. Michael Rikk Carpena and Staff Sergeant April Nikko Faelnar, along with four accomplices, were charged with robbery in the city prosecutor’s office over the weekend.

Mercado used to be with the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) who went Awol, or absent without official leave, after he failed a surprise drug test.

Caperna, who was with the Muntinlupa police, also went Awol after he was transferred to the NCRPO Regional Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit.

Faelnar, on the other hand, was identified as an active member of the Southern Police District.

Only one of the suspects had been arrested, Angelo Perlota, who drove the van being used by Pogo employees. The NCRPO said he had admitted being the tipster of the group.