PNP to relieve Bacoor police chief for his men’s alleged extortion racket

Philippine National Police chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The chief of Bacoor City Police Station will be relieved from his post following the arrest of his two subordinates who reportedly extorted P1.5 million monthly payments from various transport groups, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP).

PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. said he would be giving the order relieving Bacoor City police chief Lt. Col. Ruther Saquilayan within the day.

“In line with our one-strike policy, this chief of police will be affected; he will be relieved. I will be giving the order as soon as we are done with this,” Acorda told reporters in a press briefing on Wednesday.

Earlier in the briefing, Acorda said two non-commissioned police officers, identified as Senior Master Sergeant Joselito Bugay and Staff Sergeant Dave Gregor, as well as their cohort John Louie De Leon, were arrested on Tuesday morning by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group operatives.

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Their arrest stemmed from multiple complaints submitted by various transport groups, revealing that the suspects have been collecting monthly payments or “payola” worth P1.5 million from them — P130,000 each per transport group.

CIDG likewise revealed that the three have been extorting tricycle operators, driver associations, and other transport groups since February this year.

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Acorda said the suspects have been disarmed, and PNP is already preparing the appropriate charges against them.

They are under the CIDG Southern Metro Manila District Field Unit Office for documentation and proper disposition.

JPV