By Aaron B. Recuenco
The anti-scalawag unit of the Philippine National Police has filed criminal charges against 10 policemen for extorting money from several people they arrested for allegedly selling smuggled items early this month in San Rafael, Bulacan.
Senior Supt. Romeo Caramat, head of the PNP-Counter-Intelligence Task Force, said the 10 policemen headed by Senior Insp. Wilfredo Dizon were positively identified by the complainants. “They were identified by the complainants demanding and receiving P50,000 in exchange for their release,” said Caramat.
“Cases of kidnapping and robbery in band were already filed against them before the Department of Justice in Manila,” he added.
Aside from Dizon, also charged were SPO4 Gary Santos, SPO2 Christopher Aragon, SPO1 Dante Castillo, SPO1 Jophey Cucal, SPO1 Rolando Ignacio Jr., PO3 Dennies de Vera, PO2 Rosauro Enrile, PO2 Nicanor Bautista, and PO2 Chester Say-eo.
The charges stemmed from the operation conducted by the group of Dizon against the complainants on May 9 for allegedly selling smuggled cigarettes.
Police learned of the incident after the victims’ relatives sought their assistance.
The incident led to the relief of the chief of police of San Rafael, Supt. Rizalino Andaya, for command responsibility.
Director General Oscar Albayalde, PNP chief, has ordered the relief of the 10 policemen and said administrative charges will be slapped against the group of Dizon.
“They are also candidate for deployment in areas where there is lack of police personnel,” said Albayalde.
Social media bashers of Albayalde when he was still the Metro Manila police chief were sent to Sulu.
