2 cops held for kidnap, extortion

MANILA, Philippines – Two police officers were arrested after they were accused of kidnapping and extorting money from a businessman in Sta. Cruz, Manila Thursday night.

Police Officer 1 Johnrey Bautista, 34, detailed at the Northern Police District public safety battalion and resident of Dagat-dagatan Avenue, Malabon, and PO1 Ernesto Borleo Jr. of the National Capital Region Police Office were collared at the corner of Rizal Avenue and Blumentritt at around 11 p.m.

Bautista and Borleo were nabbed based on the complaint of Clint Tality.

Tality told police investigators he was standing in front of his house along Oroquieta street when the two policemen arrived and accosted him.

The victim said the suspects handcuffed him and dragged him to a motorcycle.

Tality said the police officers took him to an undisclosed place and demanded P60,000 from his family in exchange for his release.

He said the suspects agreed to lower the amount to P6,500.

 Tality said the suspects took his two mobile phones and jewelry.

The victim’s family sought the assistance of Inspector Rommel Purisima, deputy chief of the MPD city hall detachment, who ordered an entrapment operation resulting in the suspects’ arrest.

Charges of kidnapping, robbery, extortion and physical injury were filed against the suspects before the Manila prosecutor’s office. – Rey Galupo, Ghio Ong