3 cops tagged in comedian's extortion suspended

MANILA, Philippines -  The Highway Patrol Group (HPG) yesterday suspended for 90 days three of its personnel accused by comedian Arnel Ignacio of extorting P50,000 from him last March 26.

HPG director Chief Superintendent Leonardo Espina has also ordered deputy HPG director Senior Superintendent Danilo Alcuriza to initiate the summary dismissal proceedings against PO3 Jose Levy Llagas, PO3 Neil Pono and PO1 Joel Lasala – all assigned at the HPG-National Capital Region.

Ignacio alleged that the three police officers had threatened to impound his 1997 Porsche 996, claiming his vehicle was smuggled.

Meanwhile, a professional photographer went to the HPG headquarters in Camp Crame yesterday and accused Pono and Llagas of also extorting P30,000 from him last Jan. 18 as he was taking his breakfast at a gas station along C-5 Road, where he had parked his BMW motorcycle.

Francis Abraham told reporters that Pono and Llagas accused him of driving a stolen motorcycle. He then told the officers that his BMW motorcycle was registered but he had failed to renew it.

The police officers then told him that his motorcycle will have to be impounded at Camp Crame and that he would have to pay a fine of P30,000. Abraham said the police officers agreed to lower the “fine” first to P15,000 and then later to P10,000.

Abraham said he only reported the incident to the HPG after news of Ignacio’s extortion broke.

Espina said the three accused HPG officers could be dismissed from the police service. He said the three also face charges of grave misconduct and robbery with intimidation.