A police commander was arrested by anti-scalawag operatives and the intelligence unit of the Philippine National Police for allegedly extorting money from a fisherman’s association in Tanza, Cavite yesterday.
Senior Supt. Romeo Caramat, chief of the PNP-Counter Intelligence Task Force, identified the suspect as Supt. Armandy Dimabuyo, commander of the PNP 402nd Cavite Maritime Police Station.
Chief Supt. Rodelio Jocson, PNP-Maritime Group director, revealed all personnel of the Cavite maritime police station were immediately relieved and replaced by the Maritime Group Special Operations Unit under Supt. Gaylord Tamayo.
According to Caramat, several members of a fisherman’s association in Tanza reached out to the PNP-CITF to report the extortion activities of Dimabuyo.
The complainants, all motorized banca fishermen, claimed Dimabuyo has been demanding P19,000 to P21,000 monthly from their association to allow them to fish in Tanza.
The complainants said the little money they were earning from fishing only goes to the pocket of Dimabuyo so they decided to, once and for all, end their predicament.
An entrapment operation was conducted by the PNP-CITF in coordination with the PNP-Intelligence Group inside the headquarters of the Cavite maritime police station in Barangay Julugan around 7 a.m., Caramat said.
He said operating troops immediately arrested Dimabuyo after he received P18,000 from the fishermen as this month’s grease money.
“This unwavering effort of the CITF is part of the PNP internal reform program under the leadership of PNP chief Director General Oscar D. Albayalde,” said Caramat.
Dimabuyo was brought to the PNP-CITF headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City for proper disposition, Caramat said.
Administrative and criminal charges are being readied by the police against Dimabuyo.
The CITF chief asked the public to report erring policemen to their 24/7 text and call hotlines 09989702286 and 099957952569. (Martin Sadongdong)
