TWO more Manila policemen implicated in a robbery-extortion case surrendered last Monday night at Camp Crame, hours after their three cohorts yielded.
Staff Sergeants Ryan Tagle Paculan and Jan Erwin Santiago Isaac surrendered to Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission executive director Gilbert Cruz.
Their three cohorts — Corporal Jonmark Gonzales Dabucol and Patrolmen Jeremiah Sesma Pascual and Jhon Lester Reyes Pagar — also surrendered to Cruz last Monday afternoon.
Cruz later brought the five policemen, formerly assigned with the Manila Police District’s Intelligence and Operation Unit, to PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. for “restrictive custody.”
The five allegedly raided last July 11 a computer shop in Sampaloc, Manila owned by 73-year-old Herminigildo dela Cruz and accused him of involvement in online gambling.
They reportedly took P44,000 from the drawer of the computer shop and demanded P4,000 a week in protection money for the continued operation of the shop.
Charges of robbery-extortion have been filed against them before the Manila Prosecutors Office.
They are also facing administrative charges for grave misconduct and conduct unbecoming of a police officer, which may lead to their dismissal from the service.
In a radio interview, PNP spokeswoman Col. Jean Fajardo said the five policemen, who have been turned over to the custody of the MPD, denied the robbery-extortion charges.
“They did not admit it. They denied the allegation against them and said they are going to face the charges lodged against them,” said Fajardo.
Fajardo said the policemen surrendered only last Monday because they gathered evidence they will use to answer the charges against them.
Fajardo said three of the cops who had surrendered had faced investigation before, one for grave neglect of duty, the second for simple neglect of duty, and the third for involvement in criminal activity.
