2 Quezon City tanods arrested for extortion; barangay execs probed

MANILA, Philippines — Two barangay watchmen in Quezon City were arrested yesterday for allegedly extorting money from a woman they accused of involvement in illegal drugs.

Tanods Ben Ripol and Rolando Ferrera of Barangay Commonwealth were caught in an entrapment operation at the barangay hall at around 1 a.m. They are facing charges of robbery-extortion.

Chief Superintendent Joselito Esquivel Jr., Quezon City Police District (QCPD) director, said the suspects demanded P50,000 from a relative of the woman they apprehended on Monday at around 4 p.m.

Instead of endorsing the woman to the police, the suspects demanded P50,000 in cash. After several negotiations with the victim’s family, the price was brought down to P30,000.

The watchmen were unaware that the victim’s relative had coordinated with QCPD Station 6 for the entrapment.

Esquivel has ordered an investigation in coordination with the Commission on Human Rights on whether barangay officials violated the rights of detainees at the barangay hall.

He said they found that the barangay hall’s 38 detainees were held for several days in a cell meant to hold only 10 persons for violation of city ordinances such as littering and vagrancy, but no charges were filed against them.

The detainees also complained that they were subjected to physical abuse. They also accused barangay officials of demanding money ranging from P500 to P1,000 for their release.

Station 6 commander Superintendent Joel Villanueva said they are also investigating eight barangay officials, whom he declined to identify.

“They are under our custody while the investigation is ongoing,” he said in a phone interview.

According to Villanueva, the barangay officials should have released the inmates as all of them are only facing minor offenses.

“A fine or community work would have been enough as punishment,” he said.

Barangay chairman Manuel Co has yet to issue a statement on the issue.