Bulacan cop lands in jail for alleged extortion

Photo courtesy of the Philippine National Police

MANILA, Philippines — A policeman was arrested in Norzagaray, Bulacan for extorting P10,000 for the release of a motorcycle which is evidence in a drug case, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Thursday.

PNP-Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group chief Brig. Gen. Ronald Lee identified the police officer as Police Staff Sergeant Jonathan Dela Cruz,  chief of the Intelligence Division in Norzagaray Municipal Police Station.

Lee said agents PNP IMEG Luzon Field Unit, Bulacan provincial police and 82nd Special Action Company of the PNP Special Action Force hatched the entrapment operation that led to the capture of Dela Cruz near Norzagaray police station on Wednesday at 6 p.m.

The operation stemmed from a complainant who requested not to be named.

“The motorcycle being used by the suspect was found to be not included in the inventory of items they confiscated during a drug operation last August 26 [ in Norzagaray]. It was learned that the accused took custody of the motorbike and demanded P10,000 for its release,”  Lee said.

Recovered were P10,000 boodle money; P1,000 cash and a cellphone, police said.

Dela Cruz is now under the custody of PNP-IMEG in Camp Crame for filing of complaints for robbery (extortion), carnapping, and violation of Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act as well as Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.[ac]