15 Valenzuela cops axed for robbery, extortion

MANILA, Philippines — Fifteen personnel of the Valenzuela City police, including the chief investigator, have been relieved from their posts for their alleged involvement in robbery-extortion.

Three of the officers were arrested in an entrapment operation conducted by the Philippine National Police-Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group (IMEG) as well as other PNP units in Barangay Malinta on Wednesday.

The operation stemmed from a complaint filed by a woman who alleged that the suspects demanded P100,000 in exchange for not filing a fabricated theft case against her housemaid.

The complainant gave the suspects P5,000 in cash and a post-dated check for P50,000 before seeking police assistance, prompting the operation.

The arrested officers are being held at the IMEG headquarters at Camp Crame.

Twelve more officers of the Valenzuela police, including unit heads, were relieved from their posts to allow for an impartial probe, Northern Police District director Brig. Gen. Josefino Ligan said.

The PNP has a zero-tolerance policy against corruption and abuse of power.