Camp Olivas intelligence head denies extort attempt

CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga, Philippines – The head of the regional police intelligence section here has denied that elements of the Regional Special Operations Group (RSOG) allegedly tried to extort P1 million from the owner of a bar they raided last Friday in Balibago, Angeles City.

In a text message to The STAR, Chief Inspector Melvin Montante, regional intelligence section chief, said the RSOG operatives actually filed a case for violation of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act against Honey Ko Bar owner, a certain Veronica Raymundo, an unidentified Australian national, and at least five employees of the fun joint before the Angeles City prosecutor’s office. 

“How could the operatives ask or demand P1 million from Raymundo when we have filed the charges in court?” Montante said, adding that the RSOG men’s operation was legitimate.

The RSOG operatives were able to rescue 24 women in the raid on Honey Ko Bar along Fields Avenue in Balibago and later turned them over to social workers, Montante said.

Chief Inspector Heryl Bruno, Pampanga chief of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), earlier said Raymundo has filed extortion charges against the RSOG operatives.

Bruno did not identify the RSOG operatives, who he alleged introduced themselves as belonging to the CIDG when they raided the Balibago bar.