CIDG Sorsogon chief, 3 men sacked for extortion

MANILA, Philippines - The chief of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in Sorsogon and three of his men were removed from their posts the other day for allegedly extorting P35,000 from a barangay councilman and even forcing him to pay their restaurant bill.

CIDG chief Director Benjamin Magalong said Senior Inspector Marvin Pedere was sacked as CIDG-Sorsogon chief along with his three men, who were not identified, based on the complaint of a member of the Presidential Security Group (PSG).

The complainant, a certain S/Sgt. Espaldon, reported that Pedere’s group allegedly extorted P35,000 from his brother, Jimmy Espaldon Jr., who is based in Sorsogon, last May 22.

Espaldon added that Pedere’s group even allegedly forced his brother to pay for what they ate in a restaurant. 

Prior to the extortion, Magalong learned that Pedere’s group raided the barangay councilman’s house by virtue of a search warrant for illegal possession of firearms.

But Pedere’s group found only a spent shell, which Espaldon said he used during his Army training in 1996.

The CIDG men also raided three other houses in the area but found no firearms, too.

Although no gun was found in his house, Espaldon’s brother was brought to the CIDG-Sorsogon office without any case filed against him.

The lawmen later took the councilman to a restaurant where they demanded P35,000 for his release and asked him to pay for their food and drinks. 

Magalong warned CIDG personnel to refrain from committing illegal activities or face sanctions.

“The Philippine National Police does not tolerate unscrupulous law enforcers to remain in the police force since these individuals obliterate (its) transformation program,” Magalong added.