TUAÑO and Parilla. (Tara Yap)
ILOILO CITY – The Police Regional Office-6 and Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) are investigating a police officer assigned to the Molo Police Station for allegedly extorting money from the family of a drug suspect.
An audio recording went viral on social media where the lawman asked the family of the suspect to pay P150,000 for his release as inquest proceedings have yet to take place.
The suspect’s family said they could not afford the amount and the caller lowered the figure to P100,000 and said the next instruction would come once they arrive at the Molo Police Station.
“Pending the outcome of the investigation, it would be premature to draw conclusions based solely on an audio recording or social media posts,” the PRO-6 led by Police Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño said.
The ICPO is investigating if the incident is part of an organized scam that uses names of law enforcement officers and the Judiciary.
ICPO Director Police Col. Wilbert Parilla said several individuals have been using the names of police officers and a judge to call family of suspects to offer services to fix legal problems in exchange for money.
Parilla said they are seeking the assistance of the Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit-6 to help authenticate calls or text messages.
Tuaño echoed Parilla and warned that anyone misrepresenting themselves to be police officers will face criminal charges.
Tuaño also said that police officers behind the alleged extortion scheme face administrative and criminal charges.
The incident is the latest controversy involving the Molo Police Station.
Last July 1, the Philippine National Police Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group (PNP-IMEG) raided the police station during a manhunt for an ex-police officer involved in a murder case.
The Molo Police Station led by Police Capt. Ryan Christ Inot was accused of planting evidence and stealing personal items during anti-drug operations.