Angeles City CIDG unit sacked amid extort raps

ANGELES CITY, Philippines  – The entire force of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in this city has been relieved effective today amid allegations of frame-ups and extortion of operators of tourism-oriented businesses here.

Chief Superintendent Leon Nilo de la Cruz, CIDG chief based at Camp Crame, told The STAR that he has relieved Chief Inspector Randy Glenn Silvio and the other CIDG personnel here from their posts after foreigners and other local investors, who have grown tired of the extortion, sought the help of Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan.

“I ordered their relief pending their investigation and they will all be replaced immediately,” De la Cruz said.

Citing reports, Pamintuan said among the recent victims were the managers of a bar who were allegedly asked by CIDG men to shell out P600,000 so they would not be charged for supposedly employing minors.

Pamintuan asked De la Cruz to investigate reports that the local CIDG men recently staged “raids” on bars to allegedly extort from their owners.

He cited one case wherein CIDG men raided a nightspot a day after one of their “assets” convinced the bar manager to employ a girl who turned out to be under 18 years old.

During the raid, the CIDG men cited the employment of the underage girl as basis for a criminal complaint against the bar, but offered not to file any charge in exchange for a considerable amount of cash.

Pampanga first district Rep. Carmelo Lazatin, for his part, said he has been receiving reports on the extortion activities of local CIDG men for over a year now.

He said one of the victims was his Korean friend who was allegedly fleeced by the CIDG men of his Rolex watch, another watch worth P300,000 and a complete golf set.

“I urged the victims to file formal complaints, but despite my assurance that I would back them up, their fear for their safety prompted them to leave the country instead,” Lazatin said.