Cop ‘extorts’ driver at checkpoint, arrested

CEBU, Philippines — A policeman in Cebu City with the rank of Police Staff Sergeant was arrested after he allegedly extorted money from a driver during a checkpoint.

The cop was nabbed at the parking lot of a hospital Wednesday afternoon along Tres de Abril Street, Barangay San Nicolas, Cebu City.

He was arrested in a joint operation of the Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group (IMEG) and other police units in Region 7.

In the interest of fair reporting, The Freeman is withholding the name of the cop pending his comment on the matter.

But according to initial investigation, the policeman is 40 years old and has been assigned to one of the police stations of the Cebu City Police Office as a traffic investigator.

The operation was carried out following the complaint of a resident of Tres de Abril who was accused the cop of extorting money when he was arrested during the checkpoint in Barangay Mambaling.

Police are still conducting further investigation about the incident.

According to Police Lt. Col. Gerard Ace Pelare, spokesperson of Police Regional Office-7, Director Brigadier General Jerry Bearis said that criminal and administrative charges will be filed against the police officer.

Pelare pointed out that PRO-7 will not tolerate such act, especially that one of Bearis’ orders is to clear the ranks of the police of escalawags. — /JMD (FREEMAN)