Sampaloc’s anti-drugs chief faces more extortion raps

The noose around the neck of the chief of the station anti-illegal drugs (SAID) unit of the Sampaloc police station tightened after more victims have signified their intention to file complaints against Chief Inspector Resty Nicandro over his robbery-extortion activities.

Several victims, some of them Caloocan City residents, have sent their complaints through text messages to Manila Police District (MPD) director Chief Superintendent Roberto Rosales, saying Nicandro allegedly extorted money from them through “hulidap” operations. In police parlance, hulidap is an illegal arrest wherein the victim is threatened with detention until he comes up with amounts of money. Nicandro was once assigned at the Northern Police District.

Rosales advised his texters to directly file their complaints at the MPD’s General Assignment Section. “These complainants will help us in building up a solid case against Maj. Nicandro and his group of unscrupulous policemen,” Rosales said.

Nicandro, Senior Police Officer 1 Maurito Reneido, PO2 Christopher Pantaleon and PO1 VIctorino Salao were arrested following complaints by two alleged drug suspects from whom they reportedly extorted P40,000 in exchange for their release.

Three other SAID operatives – SPO1 Benedicto Llorica, PO2 Jesus de Leon and PO1 Ernesto Pacierto – managed to elude arrest during a police lineup but are now included in the administrative charges, according to Superintendent Nelson Yabut, chief of the MPD’s criminal investigation and detection unit (CIDU).

Yabut was tasked to supervise the filing of the cases against Nicandro and his men. Yabut is optimistic that the charges of robbery-extortion, qualified bribery and planting of evidence will stand up in court against them. 

At this developed, Sampaloc police station chief Superintendent Ernesto Barlam dissolved his SAID unit and distributed its personnel to other units within the station. He said he will set up a new SAID composed of men with integrity.

Records obtained by The STAR showed that Nicandro has a pending administrative case arising from alleged theft of P12,000 worth of copper from a junk shop owner.

Rosales also ordered a review of all pending cases against Nicandro, who is reportedly involved in several other cases of robbery-extortion.