PNP runs after extortionists targeting truckers’ groups

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) will mobilize teams to run after people extorting money from truckers’ groups.

PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. has ordered the Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group, the National Capital Region Police Office and other police units to form teams against extortionists preying on truck drivers delivering goods.

Other police regional directors will be told to come up with their own versions of such teams, Acorda said in a news briefing at Camp Crame.

Acorda vowed there will be no mercy for people targeting trucker groups even if they are police officers or employees of local government units (LGUs).

The extortion activities were raised during a meeting between government officials led by Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. and the Confederation of Truckers’ Associations of the Philippines on Tuesday.

Abalos also brought up President Marcos’ Executive Order No. 41, which directed LGUs to suspend the collection of pass-through fees on national roads and collection of any form of fees for all types of vehicles transporting goods.

Abalos said there are some people who are muddling the issue and extorting money from truckers.