Police major arrested over alleged extortion of PNP applicant in Albay

LEGAZPI CITY, ALBAY, Philippines — A police major assigned to the Regional Medical Unit of the Police Regional Office in Bicol was arrested in an entrapment operation on Thursday for allegedly extorting money from a Philippine National Police (PNP) applicant.

Police Lt. Col. Maria Luisa Calubaquib, Bicol police spokesperson, said the 40-year-old officer was caught inside Camp Gen. Simeon A. Ola in Legazpi City, Albay allegedly demanding and receiving P38,000 from an applicant in exchange for facilitating the applicant’s passage through the medical phase of the ongoing PNP recruitment process.

In a separate statement, PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said, “The PNP will ensure that the case is pursued through the proper legal and administrative processes. No rank or position exempts anyone from accountability.”

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READ: Cop tagged in PNP recruitment extortion bid

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“This incident should serve as a warning to those who may attempt to exploit the PNP recruitment process or use their position for personal gain. Recruitment in the PNP is strictly merit-based and free from any form of payment or unauthorized intervention,” the police chief added.

Intel reports, surveillance

The operation was conducted by personnel of the Regional Intelligence Unit 5, the Regional Intelligence Division Tracker Team, and the Legazpi City Police Station following intelligence reports and surveillance, Calubaquib said.

READ: Negros Island cop in hot water for allegedly extorting applicant

Brig. Gen. Erosito Miranda, Bicol police chief, said the arrest underscored the police force’s internal cleansing program and its commitment to maintaining a recruitment process that is merit-based, transparent, and free from corruption.

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“This serves as a stern warning that any form of irregularity or corruption within the recruitment process and the organization will not be tolerated,” Miranda said.

The suspect was brought to a hospital for a medical examination before being turned over to the Legazpi City Police Station for proper disposition. /cb

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