MANILA, Philippines — Two policemen, who allegedly amassed millions of pesos in protection money from transport groups, were arrested together with their civilian cohort in Bacoor, Cavite on Tuesday.
Senior M/Sgt. Joselito Bugay and Senior S/Sgt. Dave Gregor Bautista of the Bacoor police and their alleged collector John Louie de Leon were apprehended in an
entrapment at a gasoline station in Barangay Molino at around 11:30 a.m., Philippine National Police chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. said yesterday.
Police said a fourth suspect identified as city traffic management department head Edralin Gawaran remains at large.
Acorda said the operation stemmed from complaints that the suspects were collecting monthly payola from tricycle operators, drivers’ associations and other
transport groups in Bacoor.
He said the suspects’ collection is around P1.5 million a month or an average of P170,000 from each transport group.
Acorda ordered the relief of Lt. Col. Jesson Bombasi as Bacoor police chief based on the doctrine of command responsibility.