7 Manila cops sacked for extortion

MANILA, Philippines - Seven policemen assigned at the Manila city hall’s precinct were sacked yesterday for allegedly robbing and extorting money from a jeweler last month.

Senior Police Officer 1 Nicanor Zablan III, Police Officers 2 Norman Manalansan, Chirstopher Silva, Christopher Razon, and PO1s Joselito Abgan, Jake Balberde, and Abdul Alonto were transferred to Manila Police District’s holding unit and will stay there pending the result of the investigation, MPD director Chief Superintendent Rolando Asuncion said.

Complainant Rowena Bensing said the policemen arrested her for syndicated estafa as she was selling diamonds worth P80,000 to Andrea Madrigal at a coffee shop in Ermita on April 2.

Bensing told the MPD’s General Assignment Section (GAS) that the policemen took her diamonds and her ATM card, then withdrew P50,000 after forcing her to give them her personal identification number.

Charges were filed against Madrigal and Bensing but the city prosecutor’s office dismissed them.

“However, their personal belongings were not returned to them,” prompting the women to seek the help of the MPD-GAS, Asuncion said.