7 Parañaque cops held for alleged extortion

MANILA, Philippines — Seven police officers were arrested for alleged extortion of a 25-year-old Chinese businessman during a checkpoint operation, while one other officerremained at large, the Philippine National Police – National Capital Region Police Office (PNP – NCRPO) said.

In a statement on Saturday, the PNP – NCRPO detailed that the eight officers flagged the foreigner’s car at a checkpoint near a hotel along Macapagal Boulevard in Barangay Dongalo, Parañaque City on Thursday evening.

“Despite presenting his vehicle documents, officers accused him of possessing falsified papers and brought him, along with his car, to the Santo Niño Substation,” the NCRPO said.

 “Inside the station, the victim, through an interpreter, was allegedly coerced into paying P100,000, down from an initial P300,000 demand, to secure the release of his vehicle. The payment was reportedly funneled through the interpreter acting as a mediator,” it added.

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A Parañaque City Police Station investigation into the case led to the arrest of the seven of the police officers.

The NCRPO did not say when the officers allegedly involved were taken into custody.

 It added that police were also investigating the interpreter’s testimony.

The arrested officers are facing a formal complaint for robbery (extortion) before the Parañaque City Prosecutor’s Office.