Hunt on for 5 MPD cops tagged in extortion

MANILA, Philippines — Five members of the Manila Police District (MPD) were accused of extorting P40,000 from the owner of a computer shop in Sampaloc recently.

Authorities have launched a manhunt for Staff Sergeants Ryan Tagle Paculan and Jan Erwin Santiago Isaac, Cpl. Jonmark Gonzales Dabucol as well as Patrolmen Jeremiah Sesma Pascual and Jhon Lester Reyes Pagar, all assigned with the MPD District Police Intelligence Operations Unit (DPIOU).

MPD director Brig. Gen. Andre Dizon said a woman, known only as Menay, was tagged as the policemen’s accomplice.

The police officers, all in civilian clothes, broke into the computer shop owned by Herminigildo Mateo, 73, according to Ermita police station commander Lt. Col. Wilson Villaruel.

Villaruel said the suspects introduced themselves as police officers who were conducting an operation against online gambling.

The suspects allegedly took the cash from Mateo and robbed the computer shop of valuables.

Mateo said the suspects allegedly demanded a weekly protection money of P4,000, to be collected every Friday.

Following the incident, Dizon ordered the relief of all DPIOU personnel.

Administrative and criminal charges will be filed against the five policemen.