2 policemen, 2 others arrested for extortion

DAVAO CITY—Four persons, including two policemen and a retired police officer, have been arrested here for extortion on Friday, according to the city police.

Senior Supt. Ronald dela Rosa, city police chief, said authorities are checking information that the arrested were also involved in extortion in other parts of Mindanao, preying mostly on importers.

Dela Rosa said the arrested men pass themselves off as members of the Presidential Anti-Smuggling Group.

Dela Rosa identified those arrested as retired Chief Insp. Prudencio Gadingan, PO2 Elbonn Abubakar Appi of the Tawi-Tawi police, PO2 Sibre Basal Ismael, also of the Tawi-Tawi police, and Bangkula Tawasil Pangko, a Tawi-Tawi resident.