No hint of surrender for 5 MPD ‘kotong’ cops

MANILA, Philippines — Despite tracker teams from elite police units joining the manhunt, there are no indicators that the five members of the Manila Police District accused of “kotong” or extortion would surrender, MPD director Brig. Gen. Andre Dizon said yesterday.

“Negative indication,” Dizon said when asked if there were hints that S/Sgts. Ryann Tagle Paculan and Jan Erwin Santiago Isaac, Cpl. Jonmark Gonzales Dabucol and Patrolmen Jeremiah Sesma Pascual and Jhon Lester Reyes Pagar would turn themselves in or if they had sent surrender feelers.

He added that criminal and administrative complaints have been filed against them.

MPD spokesman Maj. Philipp Ines said the five police officers might not have left Metro Manila.

Previously, Philippine National Police chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. ordered the Intelligence Group and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group to join the manhunt along with the MPD’s tracker teams.

The five police officers reportedly extorted P40,000 from a 73-year-old owner of a computer shop in Sampaloc last July 11 after accusing him of running an online illegal gambling business. They later demanded P4,000 weekly protection money.