14 CIDG cops sacked over P1.5-M extortion

MANILA, Philippines - Criminal Investigation and Detection Group chief Director Samuel Pagdilao Jr. relieved yesterday 14 CIDG police officers accused of extorting P1.5 million from a Chinese man in Manila.

He ordered the transfer of Chief Inspectors Teodulo Armanda, Bienvenido Reydado and Fernando Reyes; Senior Police Officers 3 Rosauro Almonte and Leandro Santos; SPO2 Juancho Medalla, Victor Dimaano, and Eduardo Liwanagan; SPO1 Veronica Villareal; PO3 William Geneblaso, Sitti Usman, Glicerio Encela, and Alfredo Bautista; and PO2 Joven de la Cruz to the CIDG’s maintenance and technical service division to allow for an impartial investigation.

The 14 policemen, all from the CIDG’s Anti-Fraud and Commercial Crime Division (AFCCD), allegedly arrested Edwin Tan Ngie in Ongpin last Feb. 23 on false drugs charges, and brought him to Camp Crame and forced him to pay P1.5 million for his release.

AFCCD personnel were also involved in the alleged extortion of a Singaporean national recently.

Pagdilao designated Superintendent Benjamin Acorda, the former chief of the 4B Regional Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, as the new head of the AFCCD. Pagdilao directed Acorda to cleanse the AFCCD’s ranks.