CIDG men ordered probed for extortion

The head of the Philippine National Police’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) has ordered an investigation into a fresh report some of his men had tried to extort money from a foreigner, this time a Chinese man arrested on an illegal drugs charge.

CIDG Director Samuel D. Pagdilao Jr. said some personnel from the agency’s Anti-Fraud and Commercial Crime Division (AFCCD) were alleged to have coerced the unnamed Chinese national into giving them P1.5 million for his release.

He ordered CIDG deputy director for administration Chief Superintendent Benito Estipona to identify the AFCCD personnel who reportedly arrested the Chinese man on Ongpin Street in Manila at about 7 p.m. on February 23.

The alleged victim had just had dinner at a restaurant when he was accosted by men who introduced themselves as members of the CIDG from Camp Crame and who arrested him after supposedly finding methamphetamine hydrochloride, or “shabu,” on his parked motorcycle, Pagdilao said.

The initial demand for the man’s release was P10 million but this was later dropped to P1.5 million, Pagdilao said.

Pagdilao ordered that the AFCCD personnel be immediately suspended.

He also ordered a thorough review of “morale and efficiency” at the AFCCD as well as of the “leadership qualities of its commanders and sub-commanders” following the second time in quick succession its personnel were accused of an irregularity.

He said the CIDG neither condoned criminal acts committed by its personnel nor protected them from sanctions and penalties.