Napolcom exec nabbed for extortion

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – The head of the National Police Commission (Napolcom) in the Zamboanga region was arrested here Friday for allegedly extorting money from two police officers who are facing administrative cases.

Macapado Guro of Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur was arrested in a sting conducted by police officers in Barangay Sta. Maria at around 5 p.m., said Superintendent Diomarie Albarico, chief of the city police Station 7.

Albarico said Guro was allegedly waiting at a pension house for the two police officers, whom he reportedly asked for money in exchange for dropping the charges against them.

The two police officers, who are detailed in Isabela City in Basilan, were responsible for the arrest of a man for illegal possession of firearms and murder during their stint in Zamboanga City.

Administrative charges were filed against the police officers for failing to appear before the court for the trial of the case filed against the suspect.

Albarico said the two were not able to receive the court summons as they were transferred to Isabela City.

The court filed the charges before the Napolcom, recommending the dismissal of the two police officers. 

Albarico said Guro asked the two officers to pay P10,000 so the case against them would be dropped.

He said the officers initially paid P5,000 last Thursday and secretly took a video of Guro receiving the money. The officers set another meeting with the Napolcom officer next week to hand over the remaining amount.

But Isabela City police chief Superintendent Albert Larubis ordered the two police officers to convince Guro to meet them last Friday at the La Casa Maria pension house, where the Napolcom officer was arrested.