Four policemen arrested for allegedly extorting money from junkshop owners were charged Wednesday before the Department of Justice (DoJ).
Those charged were Senior Inspector Adonis Paul Gonzales Escamillan, commander of Police Community Precinct 8 of Valenzuela City, and his subordinates SPO4 Serafin Sarapdon Adante, PO1 Ryand Paul Estapia Antimaro, and PO1 Rey Harvey Azadon Florano.
Also included in the complaint was private individual Amado Reyes Baldon.
The five were accused of having committed robbery/extortion in violation of Article 294 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC).
Sarapdon, Antimaro, Florano and Baldon were subjected to inquest proceedings following their arrest.
On the other hand, Escamillan remains at large.
The four were arrested Tuesday night in Valenzuela City during an entrapment operation conducted by the Philippine National Police-Counter Intelligence Task Force (CITF) and the PNP-Intelligence Group
The operation stemmed from the complaints of several junkshop owners in Barangay Ugong.
The junkshop owners claimed that they were allegedly asked to give a weekly payola to the policemen ranging from R200 to R500 as protection.
The policemen through Baldon allegedly threatened the junkshop owners that their businesses would be closed down for violating the environment code and the city ordinance if they refuse to give protection money.
