LEGAZPI CITY, Albay – A police officer assigned to the Police Regional Office-5 (Bicol) was arrested in an entrapment operation on Thursday, June 18, for allegedly extorting money from an applicant.
Police Lt. Col. Malu Calubaquib, spokesperson of PRO-5, said that the suspect was arrested inside Camp Gen. Simeon A. Ola here by the Regional Intelligence Unit-5 (RIU-5), the Regional Intelligence Division (RID) Tracker Team, which served as the lead unit, and the Legazpi City Police Station.
Calubaquib said the suspect is a 40-year-old police officer assigned to the Regional Medical Unit-5. He was apprehended after receiving the P38,000 boodle money from the complainant.
The suspect asked the amount from the applicant in exchange for passing the medical phase of the Philippine National Police (PNP) recruitment process.
Calubaquib said the victim sought the assistance of the police who conducted intelligence and surveillance activities.
The suspect was brought to a hospital in Legazpi City for medical examination before he was turned over to the Legazpi City Police Station for documentation and proper disposition.
The suspect faces further investigation and administrative and criminal charges.
PNP-Bicol Director Police Brig. Gen. Erosito N. Miranda said the arrest reflects the organization's intensified internal cleansing program and commitment to eliminate corruption and misconduct within their ranks.
Miranda said that recruitment and personnel selection processes within the PNP must remain merit-based, transparent, and free from any form of influence or monetary consideration.
"This serves as a stern warning that any form of irregularity or corruption within the recruitment process and the organization will not be tolerated. We will continue to intensify internal cleansing efforts to ensure that those who tarnish the name of the service are held accountable," he said.