TWO TAGUIG COPS, TWO COHORTS NABBED FOR EXTORTION ACTIVITIES

Two members of the Taguig police and their two civilian cohorts were
arrested by operatives of the Philippine National Police Anti-Illegal
Drugs Operations Task Force in an entrapment operation over the
weekend for alleged extortion activities.

Three other suspects identified as Insp. Ricardo Luciano, SPO2
Benjamin Payumo and PO2 Badlis Asmad, chief and operatives,
respectively, of Taguig Special Operations Unit managed to elude
arrest during the operation.

At a press conference, PNP AIDSOTF chief Deputy Director Egdar Aglipay
presented arrested suspects SPO1 Johnny Galis, 45, and PO2 Rene Data,
30, both of the Taguig Police SOU; Ariel Trinidad, 35 and Rogelio
Robello, 21.

The operation stemmed from the complaints of Rufino Santos Jr. who
claimed the suspects arrested his father Rufino Santos Sr. and
demanded P30,000 for the latter's release.

Last July 31, based on the complaint of Santos Jr., an entrapment
operation was conducted.

Around 6 p.m., the complainant delivered the money to the suspects.
When the money was taken by the suspects, AIDSOTF members immediately
entered the station and arrested the suspects. Data resisted arrest by
drawing his 9mm service pistol but he was immediately disarmed.

Recovered from the suspects were their service firearms and the
P20,000 boodle money.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Angelo Reyes said Luciano and
the other suspects are not authorized to arrest drug suspects as
stated in Republic Act 9165 because they are not part of the station's
anti-drug team.

Charges of robbery-extortion, violation of domicile and damage to
property were filed against all the suspects and additional charge of
resisting arrest was filed against Data.