FOLLOWING THE recent arrest of two police officers for extortion, another seven policemen in Las Piñas City were arrested on Thursday, March 7, for demanding cash from the family of a drug suspect in exchange for his freedom.
The suspects were identified as Police Staff Sgt. Joel Lupig, Police Corporal Vener Gunalao, Police Corporal Jayson Arellano, Patrolman Jeffrey De Leon, Patrolman Mark Jefferson Fulgencio, Patrolman Raymart Gomez and Patrolman Erickson Rivera.
The suspects were assigned at the Las Piñas City Police Station Drug Enforcement Unit and allegedly tried to extort money from a certain Shelane Lugutan, sister of suspect Cyrus Wency Lugutan, who was arrested in an anti-illegal drugs operation in November last year.
The accused police officers eluded the arresting team, but subsequently surrendered themselves to National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Major General Guillermo T. Eleazar on November 29 last year.
Mr. Eleazar personally served an arrest warrant for a case of kidnap-for-ransom on Wednesday afternoon against the suspects inside the Custodial Detention Facility of the Regional Headquarters Support Unit in Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City.
Criminal cases of kidnapping with serious illegal detention along with an administrative case of grave misconduct were filed against the suspects.
Meanwhile, Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo M. Año said the outburst of Mr. Eleazar to an erring police officer was understandable.
“His outburst was understandable given the circumstances. It was a classic case of a ‘father losing his cool over his son’s misbehavior’ with the goal of correcting it and sending a message to his other children that bad behavior will not be tolerated in his household,” said Mr. Año in a statement on Thursday.
Mr. Eleazar scolded Police Corporal Marlo S. Quibete, chief of the Eastern Police District’s drug enforcement unit, after he was arrested for extortion on Tuesday evening.
Mr. Año added, “I personally support Police Major General Guillermo Eleazar, National Capital Region Police Chief, in his drive to rid the NCRPO of ‘kotong cops.’ His action yesterday was simply a manifestation of his frustration over police scalawags in his unit who continue to tarnish the image of the entire Philippine National Police.”
For his part, Philippine National Police chief General Oscar D. Albayalde said he supports the call of Mr. Eleazar to cleanse ranks.
“When a recruit takes his oath as a professional police officer, he automatically loses or waives some of his rights in favor of organizational discipline, duties and responsibilities. So, being scolded, reprimanded, bawled out, or dressed down for misdemeanor, misconduct or commission of crime is just part and parcel of his life being in the uniformed service,” said Mr. Albayalde in a statement on Thursday. — Vince Angelo C. Ferreras

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