Ex-policewoman held for robbery, extortion

MANILA, Philippines — A former policewoman accused of extorting money from police officers in exchange for juicy posts was arrested during an entrapment operation in Pasay City yesterday.

Former S/Sgt. Beverly Banan was nabbed by operatives of the police Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group (IMEG) in a fastfood restaurant at around 3:25 p.m.

“Banan’s arrest was in line with the internal cleansing drive of the national police,” IMEG director Col. Ronald Lee said.

Lee said Banan received P40,000 in marked bills from an operative who pretended to be seeking transfer to another police unit.

The suspect yielded the marked money, three cell phones and records of police personnel.

Banan, previously assigned with the regional human resource doctrine division of the Ilocos police, has been under surveillance amid reports that she has been extorting money from lawmen in exchange for promotion or reassignment to their preferred posts.

Probers said they are conducting an investigation to identify Banan’s cohorts.

She is being held on robbery and extortion charges at the IMEG main office at Camp Crame in Quezon City.