Angeles City cops allegedly planted evidence to extort from arrested persons — official

The cops in Angeles City, Pampanga who are accused of extortion allegedly planted evidence to pin down and arrest their victims, the Philippine National Police - Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group (IMEG) said Monday.

At a press conference, IMEG chief Police Brigadier Warren de Leon said there was an irregularity in the conduct of operation of the commander and six police personnel of the Angeles City Police Station 2.

“Meron talagang planting of evidence doon. Kaya nila nakuha yung mga tao. Tiinago sa mga bahay. At walang kasong nai-file dahil parang ire-refer pa nila o hihingian ng pera kaya talagang may irregularity sa ginawa nila,” he said.

(There is planting of evidence there. That’s why they were able to arrest them. They plant the evidence inside their houses. And no case was filed because it seems they will refer it or ask for money so there is really an irregularity in their operations.)

According to De Leon, five of the seven cops had previous administrative cases filed with the PNP’s Internal Affairs Service (IAS). Authorities are now preparing the charges against the seven cops.

According to a report of GMA Regional TV One North Central Luzon which aired on 24 Oras Weekend on Sunday, a relative of one of the 15 arrested victims reported the incident to the IMEG. The relative said they were asked P30,000 in exchange for their freedom.

The concerned cops were brought to Camp Crame.

PNP chief Police General Benjamin Acorda Jr. said he already ordered concerned offices to check custodial facilities if there are similar issues.

“We already gave instructions on that. Marami tayong inutusan hindi lang IAS (We instructed many offices, not only IAS). — RSJ, GMA Integrated News