6 Manila cops arrested for alleged extortion

MANILA, Philippines — Officers of the Manila Police District (MPD) have arrested six of their colleagues for alleged extortion.

According to a report from MPD, the six police officers were arrested inside the P. Algue Police Community Precinct (PCP) in Jose Abad Santos, Tondo on Thursday.

They were identified as Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Mejia, Cpl. Jigie Azores, Cpl. Johndee Toledo, Cpl. Kevin John Villanueva, Pat. Danny Rangaig, and Pat. Kenneth Cordova, who are all stationed at the said PCP.

The arrest stemmed from the complaint of Jericho Laniog, SK chairman of Barangay 313, Zone 31 in District 3 who, along with his two companions, was arrested by the said police officers for alleged violation of curfew.

The officers also claimed that a tube or pipe used for drugs was found from one of Laniog’s companions.

The accused police officers  brought Laniog and his companions to their PCP where they allegedly demanded P50,000 for their immediate release. The victims were then released after shelling out P47,000.

The victim, however, proceeded to the MPD’s Police Station 2 to file a complaint against the officers. Station commander Lt. Col. Magno Gallora Jr. then ordered members of the Tactical Motorcycle Riders Unit to disarm and arrest the six police officers.

The accused policemen were later turned over to the MPD General Assignment Investigation Section.

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