3 cops nabbed for extorting ‘visitation fees’ from detainees’ relatives

Suspect in handcuffs graphics. INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Three police officers of the Caloocan City Police Station (CPS) were arrested on Saturday for reportedly extorting “visitation fees” from the families of detainees, according to the Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group (IMEG) of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

INQUIRER.net has opted not to identify the policemen involved as this will still be subject of a proceeding, in compliance with the Data Privacy Act.

But according to IMEG’s Sunday report, the three arrested, include a police major who served as the custodial supervisor and two custodial officers — one master sergeant and one patrolman.

They were collared by authorities during an entrapment operation around 4:15 p.m.

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Citing the complainants, police said the officers reportedly asked them for a minimum P1,500 fee for visiting their loved ones.

Broken down, IMEG said the P1,500 consist of P200 entrance fee for relatives, P550 fee in the waiting area, and P100 for mandatory food for the PUPC (persons under PNP custody).

“The said amount is being received by their trusted civilian cohort (jail mayor), while inside the CPS in the presence of Caloocan CPS Personnel,” the report reads.

Authorities also confiscated over 4,000 worth of bills from the suspects.

The Caloocan police officers and the pieces of evidence were brought to IMEG headquarters in Camp Crame City for proper documentation and processing.