The Manila Police District relieved four of its officers after harassing and extorting money from a man they arrested for allegedly possessing illegal drugs in Manila.
Sta. Mesa Police Station commander Superintendent Santiago Pascual ordered the relief of Senior Police Officer 1 Renato Ablaza, PO3 Ruel Aguilar, PO2 Patrick Guevarra, and PO2 Ronald Robles, as well as the commander of the Police Community Precinct they belong to after the August 28 incident that happened on the corner of V. Mapa and Peralta Streets in Sta. Mesa.
In a press briefing at Camp Crame on Friday, MPD director Chief Superintendent Rolando Nana said the officers have been transferred to the District Headquarters Support Unit pending the investigation on the incident.
“Superintendent Santiago also confiscated their service firearms. Anytime from now, I expect them to report to the District Headquarters Support Unit,” Nana said.
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The four cops are being investigated for robbery and extortion charges and for grave misconduct, an administrative charge. Nana said they might also face suspension if they would be found committing any violations.
Last week, Ablaza, Aguilar, Gueverra and Robles handcuffed 38-year-old Michael Hingpit as he got off a taxi cab with his boyfriend. The cops accused Hingpit of having in his pocket a sachet of shabu (metamphetamine hydrochloride), which the victim said was only planted by the four officers.
The policemen then divested Hingpit of his cell phone and P5,500 in cash. When he asked the cops to return his phone and money, the four men punched, kicked and poked a gun at him.
According to Hingpit, the police officers also tried to force him to perform oral sex on his boyfriend before them.
For his release, the cops ordered him to ask for money from his brother.
Since the incident, Superintendent Marissa Bruno, MPD spokesperson, told INQUIRER.net that Ablaza, Aguilar, Gueverra and Robles have not reported for duty. Julliane Love de Jesus, INQUIRER.net