Malate police chief, 6 others axed for ‘hulidap’

MANILA, Philippines — The commander of the Manila Police District (MPD) Station 9 in Malate and six other intelligence officers were ordered relieved from their posts yesterday for alleged “hulidap” of an Egyptian man last week.

Incoming Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director Oscar Albayalde sacked Superintendent Eufronio Obong after four of his men were arrested for allegedly extorting money from the victim following his arrest on trumped-up drug charges.

Albayalde said he ordered the relief of Obong to prevent him from influencing the investigation of Senior Police Officer 3 Ranni Dionisio, PO3 Richard Osorio, PO1s Arjay Lasap and Exequiel Jeric Fernandez.

MPD director Chief Superintendent Joel Napoleon Coronel said the policemen were nabbed by operatives of the PNP Counter-Intelligence Task Force and National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) near a gasoline station at the corner of Quirino Avenue and Mabini street in Ermita while allegedly receiving the marked money from the victim at around 6:15 p.m. on Friday.

The operation stemmed from the complaint of the victim that at least 10 policemen from the MPD Station 9 apprehended him for alleged drug possesion on April 9.

Authorities withheld the identity of the victim.

NBI agents said the suspects demanded P200,000 in exchange for the victim’s release and the dropping of charges against him.

After bargaining, the police officers allegedly agreed to accept a P50,000 check from the Egyptian.

Dionisio, Osorio, Lasap and Fernandez are being held at the NBI detention facility. Charges of robbery and extortion will be filed against them, according to Coronel.

Obong was reassigned to the district’s holding and accounting unit (DHAU). He was replaced by MPD district intelligence division chief Superintendent Erwin Dayag.

Six intelligence officers under Obong, who were not arrested in the operation, were also relieved and reassigned to the DHAU.

The MPD refused to name the policemen pending result of the probe.

‘Scalawag cops’

Coronel said he ordered the relief of the MPD Station 9’s entire intelligence unit to determine “who else were involved in this shameless act.”

“They will undergo summary dismissal proceedings and charges will be filed against the others who were involved in the extortion case,” Coronel told The STAR.

He said this latest incident has tarnished the image of the MPD.