Dismiss cops in extort case, says Herrera

People Power Coalition senatorial candidate Ernesto Herrera has urged the National Police Commission to initiate summary dismissal proceedings against five officers of the Eastern Police District who allegedly set free a suspected big-time drug pusher in exchange for P40,000 in cash and 100 grams of shabu worth P200,000.

"These rotten officers do not deserve the kid-glove treatment. They should be prosecuted administratively and criminally," Herrera, former chair of the Senate special committee on illegal drugs, said.

"The likes of these officers have been spoiling the drive against illegal drugs. They are not only setting pushers free, they themselves are recycling drugs back into the streets," Herrera, chair of the Citizens’ DrugWatch Foundation, added.

Chief Superintendent Simeon Dizon Jr., EPD director, identified the erring officers as SPO1 Patricio Masilang, PO3 Rizalde Medalla and PO2s Joselito Bieles, Emmanuel Esteral and Roberto del Pilar. They have been put on a floating status pending a deeper investigation.

The five officers raided the home of a suspended drug fiend, Renato Tumaman, at Block 41, Welfareville Compound, Barangay Addition Hills in Mandaluyong City.

Tumaman was arrested. However, instead of haling him to the station, the officers brought Tumaman to a fast food joint in Maysilo Circle, where they extorted cash and confiscated the shabu, according to witnesses and relatives of the suspect.