MANILA — A Cebu policeman has been arrested following a complaint for extortion in relation to a pending drug case.
In a statement Thursday, the Philippine National Police Counter-Intelligence Task Force (PNP CITF) said its operatives arrested PO3 Ritchie Saquilabon of the Police Station (PS) 1 of Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) during an entrapment operation on Monday at Sangcianko corner Junquera St., Cebu City.
CITF Commander Senior Supt. Jose Chiquito M. Malayo said the operation was prompted by a phoned-in complaint received by CITF in Camp Crame regarding the suspect’s alleged demand for money in exchange for the dropping of charges against the arrested drug offender.
Saquilabon’s group had earlier launched an anti-illegal drugs operation and arrested Richie Y Labus, 32, from Banilad, Cebu for violation of RA 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act Of 2002.
CITF operatives caught Saquilabon while in the act of receiving the marked money from the complainant amounting to PHP20,000.00, Malayo said.
The CITF chief said the filing of appropriate criminal and administrative cases is underway against Saquilabon.
Earlier, CITF revealed that its internal reform program has resulted in the dismissal of 398 police personnel for various administrative offenses since 2016. (PNA)
