5 Mandaluyong cops facing extortion charge probe

Five policemen are facing investigation for allegedly extorting P40,000 from a suspected drug pusher who was arrested last Feb. 10 in Mandaluyong City

Chief Superintendent Simeon Dizon Jr., Eastern Police District (EPD) director, vowed yesterday to summarily dismiss the five policemen if evidence warrants.

Dizon ordered Superintendent Jose Gentiles, Mandaluyong City police chief, to place the policemen, identified as SPO1 Patricio Masilang, PO3 Rizalde Medalla, PO2 Joselito Bieles, PO2 Emmanuel Esteral and PO2 Roberto del Pilar Posadas, on "freezer" assignments during the investigation of the case.

The five policemen reportedly conducted an anti-drug operation without authorization which is a violation of the standard policy of the National Capital Regional Police Office (NCRPO).

Gentiles said the suspects raided the house of a certain Renato Tumanan Jr., alias Jun Buday in Block 41 Welfareville Compound, Barangay Addition Hills.

Following his arrest, Tumanan yielded more or less 100 grams of shabu, and an undetermined amount cash and jewelry. However, instead of booking the suspect at the police station, the five policemen brought Tumanan to a restaurant along Maysilo compound where he was asked to dish out P40,000 in exchange for his release. – Non Alquitran