Binangonan PNP probed for extortion

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Debold Sinas yesterday ordered an investigation of the entire police force in Binangonan, Rizal after two civilian assets were arrested for alleged extortion.

Sinas directed Calabarzon director Brig. Gen. Felipe Natividad to include police chief Lt. Col. Ferdinand Ancheta in the probe.

“I will not let this incident pass without implementing appropriate criminal and administrative action against those involved,” he said.

Sinas said Senior M/Sgt. Randy Andanar, S/Sgts. Joel Acosta and Joe Sevillena and Cpls. Allan Alvarez, Marson Tayaban and Ew Armenis were accused by a certain Stephen Kellu of extortion.

Agents of the PNP Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group and the Rizal police arrested Albert Domingo and Pablo Botchok during an entrapment in front of the municipal hall at around 5:09 p.m. on Tuesday.

Authorities learned that Cpl. Archieval Perez, who was ordered detained on charges of infidelity in the custody of prisoners, was outside his cell and served as a lookout during the transaction.

Kellu claimed the suspects demanded P40,000, which was reduced to P20,000, in exchange for the release of his Toyota Vios, which was confiscated during a drug bust on Nov. 28.