10 Bulacan cops relieved for extortion

MANILA, Philippines — Ten police officers accused of kidnapping and extorting money from a couple in Bulacan have been relieved from their posts.

The Counter-Intelligence Task Force (CITF) filed complaints of kidnapping, robbery in band and violation of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act against Senior Inspector Wilfredo Dizon Jr., Senior Police Officer 4 Gary Santos, PO3 Dennis de Vera, SPO2 Christopher Aragon, SPO1s Dante Castill, Jophey Cucal and Rolando Ignacio Jr. and PO2s Rosauro Enrile, Nicanor Bautista and Chester Say-eo.

CITF spokesman Chief Inspector Jewel Nicanor said the police officers were assigned at the intelligence and drug enforcement units of the San Rafael police.

Nicanor said the police officers demanded P50,000 for the release of the couple, whom they arrested on May 19 for selling counterfeit cigarettes.  – Ramon Efren Lazaro, Emmanuel Tupas