Zambo cop faces dismissal for extortion

A policeman in Zamboanga City is now facing dismissal from service for extorting money from a motorist, an official said on Wednesday.

Police Regional Office 9 Director Chief Superintendent Napoleon Estilles said PO2 Reynaldo Tejano Bello of the Sta. Maria Police was charged with extortion and abuse of authority after he was arrested during a sting operation.

Estilles directed the personnel from the Regional Investigation and Detective Management Division of PRO9 in Camp Abendan, Mercedes to conduct the entrapment on Bello after receiving complaints against the cop.

During the operation, authorities caught Bello in the act of receiving money from Arthur Delos Reyes of Lumiyap, Divisoria along the vicinity of the Land Transportation Office in Sta. Barbara last Friday.

Estilles said Delos Reyes earlier lodged a formal complaint against Bello.

Delos Reyes said that last Nov. 20, he was caught by Bello for traffic violation while driving his  motorcycle together with a student while passing the vicinity of Gov. Ramos Avenue.

Bello then impounded the  motorcycle at  the Sta. Maria Police Station and demanded P500 from Delos Reyes in exchange for the release of the vehicle.

Bello is now in the custody of the RIDM division for inquest and dismissal proceedings against him. - Dennis Carcamo