3 cops in "extort" set for transfer

It's not two but three operatives of the Vice Control Section of the city police who have been recommended for reassignment outside the city after they were accused of extorting money from a couple recently.

It was only PO2 Robert Cuyos and PO1 Leo Batigalao who fell in an entrapment operation by the National Bureau of Investigation Wednesday evening, but PO2 Richard Valencia will be also included in the investigation.

Acting city police director Melvin Gayotin yesterday said that Valencia and Batigalao allegedly extorted couple Francisco and Dalia Nabua of P95,000 last month.

Thus, according to Gayotin, the three cops will undergo investigation by Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Branch chief Paul Labra.

Labra said he is still waiting for Batigalao and Cuyos to appear before his office to execute their affidavits.

Meanwhile, only Batigalao was charged with robbery/extortion before the court yesterday afternoon since the Cebu City Prosecutor's Office failed to find any evidence that would link Cuyos to the extortion activity.

Batigalao has to put up a P100,000 bail bond for his temporary liberty.

Initial investigation revealed that Francisco was arrested by Batigalao last May 14 for allegedly possessing illegal drugs, but no case has been filed following an alleged P95,000 settlement.

On Wednesday, Batigalao allegedly visited the couple in barangay Calamba and threatened to arrest Dalia if they will not pay P100,000 to him.

The couple asked if they could lower the amount to P20,000, but Batigalao allegedly wanted to settle it for P30,000.