Cop to face robbery, extortion raps

CEBU, Philippines — The Police Regional Office (PRO) is set to file robbery and extortion charges against a cop.

Administrative charges will also be filed against Police Corporal Wenefredo Olongayo, said PRO-7 Director Albert Ignatius Ferro.

"Mo-file tag kaso. Kaning atong mga badlungon na mga police dapat dili mag take advantage," Ferro said.

The police director said he was very disappointed with Olongayo.

Olongayo, who is assigned at the Waterfront Police Station 3, and his cohort, Jevy Rea Gelig, a resident of Barangay San Roque in Cebu City, were arrested Tuesday by members of the Integrity Monitoring Enforcement Group (IMEG), an anti-scalawag unit of the Philippine National Police.

The two were arrested upon receiving an air-conditioning unit from complainant Reymart Villarmino in an entrapment operation in Sitio Silangan 2, Barangay Tejero, Cebu City.

Investigation showed that the suspects demanded the air-conditioning unit from Villarmino in exchange for the downgrading of drug charges against his brother Ramel.

The complainant sought the assistance of PRO-7 and PNP-IMEG, resulting in the arrest of the suspects.

The suspects are now under the custody of the PRO-7.

Congested Jails

Meanwhile, police stations in Central Visayas are directed to conduct an inventory of the number of persons under police custody (PUPC).

Ferro made the call following a report that jails are filled beyond capacity.

Police Colonel  Hector Grijaldo, Cebu City Police Office director, reportedly said detention cells in 11 police stations in the city are already overcrowded.

Ferro said his office will discuss the situation with the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP).

"We will coordinate  with the BJMP kung unsay maayong himuon if there are congestions or naay problema sa police station custodial facility," he said.  KQD (FREEMAN)