Angeles cop chief relieved from post

MANILA, Philippines — The chief of the Angeles City police in Pampanga was relieved from his post yesterday after seven of his men were arrested for alleged arbitrary detention and extortion.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. reassigned Col. Juritz Rara to the personnel holding and administrative unit of the Central Luzon police.

“He was administratively relieved pending investigation to determine if he is liable for command responsibility,” PNP public information office chief Brig. Gen. Redrico Maranan told journalists.

Lt. Col. Deonido Maniago Jr. will replace Rara in an acting capacity.

On Friday, seven police officers from Angeles were arrested by agents of the Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group after they allegedly demanded P30,000 from 12 people they held for alleged involvement in illegal drugs.