Balikbayan accuses 11 cops of P1-M extortion

MANILA, Philippines - A naturalized Canadian citizen yesterday accused 10 Manila Police District (MPD) police officer and a member of the Police Security Protection Group (PSPG) of demanding P1 million in exchange for not pursuing a frustrated murder case against her.

Belinda Placido, 55, said members of the MPD led by her partner, SPO3 Sonny Nosidal of the PSPG, arrested her at her house in Barangay San Felipe, Zambales on Sept. 12. She said she was brought to the MPD Station 4 in Sampaloc, Manila and was released the following day after she paid the P1 million demanded by the police officers.

She said the police officers told her she is facing charges for masterminding the stabbing of Jane Carmela Nosidal, her partner’s daughter.

According to Placido, the policemen – who said that the operation was already coordinated with the Zambales police – were not able to show a warrant for her arrest.

The San Felipe police confirmed the coordination notice from the MPD, adding that the arrest was made without a warrant because the arresting officers said it was a “hot pursuit operation.”

Placido also tagged SPO1 Renato Gregorio, PO3 Mike Pornilos, PO2 Josefino Callora, PO2 Rolando Ladres, PO2 Dennis Tablizo, PO2 Ryan Malacad, PO2 Laurence Sagum, PO1 Joseph Vistan, and PO1 Journey Joy Asayo in the extortion incident.

Placido said she heard MPD Station 4 commander Superintendent Rolando Balasabas say “good” when Pornilos told him the P1-million demand was paid. Balasabas denied the allegation.

Placido earlier went to the Manila City Hall to seek the help of Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, who said he wants to hear the police officers’ side first before taking any action. – With Rey Galupo