QCPD bats for better screening of would-be cops

MANILA, Philippines - There should be a stronger background check on police applicants to screen against unscrupulous men entering the police force, an official said yesterday.

This was following the arrest of three rookie policemen of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) when they extorted money from a man they threatened with arrest.

QCPD deputy director for administration Senior Superintendent Joel Pagdilao said the screening of police officers should include how they interact in their community.

“Even during the recruitment, the background should already be looked into. The background investigation should be strengthened,” Pagdilao said.

Pagdilao noted that the “public safety basic recruitment course” that police recruits undergo after getting into the service runs for only six months before their field training, which takes another six months.

“That period is not enough to instill discipline,” he said.

The three arrested lawmen – Police Officers 1 Ryan Parungo, Dennis Maagda, and Ronnel Biag – are assigned with the QCPD-Station 9, said QCPD director Senior Superintendent Richard Albano.

Albano said the three were arrested during an entrapment operation at around 11 p.m. Thursday after their accomplice, Dominic Laudio, who posed as a policeman, was nabbed.

Albano said the suspects baited their male victim with a male prostitute and then threatened him with arrest.

The victim failed to produce the money and managed to convince the suspects that he would get the money from his home in Cavite. The suspects agreed, but not without taking the victim’s valuables.

The victim then baited Laudio with the money he had supposedly raised. The victim then contacted the police, leading to the suspects’ arrest.

Albano said the suspects underwent inquest proceedings for robbery extortion, with the fiscal recommending the filing of robbery extortion charges against them. Laudio faces additional charges of usurpation of authority.

Pagdilao said they will forward the case information on the three policemen to the National Capital Region Police Office to initiate the summary dismissal proceedings against them.