MANILA: Two policemen were arrested, along with two of their informants, for extorting money from a woman who was supposedly arrested because of drugs in Pasig.
A team from the Philippine National Police - Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group (PNP-IMEG) apprehended the suspects following the report lodged by a relative of the victim, Philstar.com reported.
PNP-IMEG director Brigadier General Warren de Leon said the two policemen were arrested in an operation in Pasig. Further investigations into the case led them to the two informants.
Reportedly, the two policemen arrested the woman for possession of illegal drugs but instead of detaining her further, they demanded 100,000 pesos (RM8,000) in exchange for not filing a criminal case against her. The suspects then later lowered their demand to 10,000 pesos (RM8,000).
On the morning of Oct 19, the woman claimed she paid 6,000 pesos and the suspects sent her back home. The duo however continued demanding for the balance of the agreed amount.
This prompted the woman's brother to contact the PNP-IMEG for assistance. A sting was orchestrated and the two policemen were apprehended.
Seized from the suspects were the marked money, a sachet said to contain methamphetamine hydrochloride or syabu, a Glock 9mm pistol, a Taurus 9mm pistol, five loaded magazines, a .45-caliber airsoft gun, a motorcycle and three cell phones.
"Upon record check, the arrested suspects are in the counter intelligence watchlist," De Leon said adding the suspects were brought to the IMEG headquarters for documentation and filing of charges.