HPG official nabbed for P.4-million extortion

MANILA, Philippines — A ranking official of the Philippine National Police’s Highway Patrol Group (HPG) was arrested for alleged extortion in his office at Camp Crame during a sting on Wednesday.

Maj. Raul Salle, deputy chief of the HPG’s operation management division, was handcuffed by operatives of the Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group and the HPG after receiving the marked money.

He allegedly demanded P420,000 from the complainant, an overseas Filipino worker from Pasay City, in exchange for the release of her impounded Mitsubishi Adventure. 

Salle faces charges of robbery extortion and estafa, as well as an administrative case for grave misconduct, according to IMEG director Col. Romeo Caramat.

Salle was previously relieved in similar cases, Caramat said, adding that he was instructed to find out if Salle’s superiors are involved.

The complainant went to the HPG to report that her car was stolen. Salle reportedly asked her for P140,000 to start the investigation and instructed her to borrow P70,000 from a non-uniformed personnel named Alex as part of her downpayment.

The complainant said she sent money through Salle while she was in Canada to pay for her loan but it was never remitted. She alleged that Salle told her he already spent the money.

Salle then suggested that the complainant agree to pawn her vehicle, which had been recovered, so she would be able to pay her loan.

Salle reportedly used her car instead of pawning it for P300,000. The vehicle was pictured being driven by Salle along EDSA and parked at the PNP headquarters. 

The complainant appeared before the HPG to claim the car but Salle supposedly again asked for P300,000, prompting her to report the incident to IMEG.