Extort cop in hot water

The police officer who took part in the recent arrest of two Mandaluyong officers allegedly on extortion raps is now behind bars for the same offense.

Philippine National Police (PNP) deputy chief for administration Deputy Director Edgar Aglipay wants anti-drug operative PO3 Edgar Galorio booted out of service, saying he cannot tolerate his own men being involved in illegal activities.

At a press conference yesterday. Aglipay said he gave clearance for the arrest of Galorio shortly after he was informed by his intelligence chief Senior Superintendent Federico Laciste that the erring policeman was allegedly asking P75,000 from a drug suspect in exchange for downgrading drug charges from selling to mere possession.

"I immediately ordered an entrapment. I cannot condone unlawful activities perpetrated especially by my own men," Aglipay said.

Galorio is facing extortion charges following his arrest last Tuesday conducted by his own colleagues at the PNP-Anti-Illegal Drugs-Special Operations Task Force (PNP-AID-SOTF) at Camp Crame.

Galorio took part in the entrapment operation inside the Mandaluyong City police last Aug. 4. Two local policemen were arrested by the PNP-AID-SOTF on extort raps. They denied the charge.

Aglipay has ordered the conduct of administrative proceedings against Galorio.

Apart from the extort charges, Galorio is also entangled in the criminal charges filed by the Mandaluyong policemen for "unlawful arrest, arbitrary detention, coercion and slander by deeds" before the Pasig City Prosecutor’s Office in view of the Aug. 4 entrapment.

The Department of Justice has recommended no bail for Galorio. – Christina Mendez