IAS begins probe of P18 million extortion case vs 10 CIDG cops

This photo is a screengrab of closed circuit television camera footage showing three Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) personnel entering a warehouse in Tondo, Manila where the police officers allegedly extorted P18 million from individuals they arrested in a raid last February. (Contributed photo)

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police Internal Affairs Service (PNP-IAS) began its investigation into the case of 10 Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) personnel who allegedly extorted P18 million from individuals they arrested in a Tondo warehouse raid.

The CIDG previously announced that the 10 officers were already relieved and placed under restrictive custody following an April 28 report from the PNP Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group (IMEG).

“Gumugulong na ngayong araw yung pre-charge investigation sa mga nasasangkot na 10 respondents dito sa kaso na ito,” PNP IAS Inspector General Brigido Dulay said in an interview at Camp Crame on Friday.

(The pre-charge investigation of the 10 respondents in this case is now ongoing)

Dulay said that the formal charges were expected to be finalized within seven days, after which the summary hearing process will begin.

READ: 10 CIDG cops sacked, held for alleged P18 million extortion in Tondo raid

The police inspector general said the internal watchdog was looking at a possible administrative case of grave misconduct against the officers.

“[I]to ay maaaring patawan ng hanggang dismissal from the service. Kasama na rin diyan yung accessory penalty ng forfeiture of all the benefits and perpetual disqualification from government employment,” Dulay said.

(The penalty can be dismissal from service. This also includes the accessory penalty of forfeiture of all benefits and perpetual disqualification from government employment)

‘Fruits of the crime’

For his part, PNP Chief Gen. Rommel Marbil reiterated the law enforcement agency’s “zero-tolerance” policy.

READ: PNP reiterates zero-tolerance policy for erring cops

“[N]ot only are you dismissed but there is a criminal case against you at uubusin namin ang assets mo, all the fruits of your crime,” Marbil said in a chance interview with reporters at Camp Crame in Quezon City on Friday.

(Not only are you dismissed but there is a criminal case against you and we will exhaust all your assets, all the fruits of your crime.)