DOJ indicts 3 cops for extortion, illegal gambling

MANILA, Philippines — Charges of extortion and illegal gambling have been filed before a Caloocan City court against three police officers, one of whom allegedly accepted P30,000 in exchange for the release of an arrested drug suspect.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) indicted S/Sgt. Andro Manangan as well as Senior Master Sergeants Jun-jun Silvertino and Jonathan Aggalao for illegal gambling.

A separate complaint for robbery and extortion was filed against Manangan, the DOJ said.

Manangan, who was detailed at the Amparo police sub-station in Caloocan, was arrested during an entrapment operation conducted by the Philippine National Police-Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group (PNP-IMEG) on June 24.

He was nabbed after he was allegedly caught accepting P30,000 from a sister of a drug suspect.

Manangan allegedly tried to escape, but he was arrested in a condominium building.

The court recommended bail of P100,000 for his provisional liberty.

During the same operation, the DOJ said IMEG operatives apprehended Silvertino and Aggalao while playing the card game “tong-its” inside the police station.

The justice department believed that Manangan was gambling with the duo prior to his arrest.

The court set a bail of P30,000 each for Silvertino and Aggalao.

Manangan is being held at the PNP Custodial Center at Camp Crame in Quezon City.

“Let this be a warning to law enforcers or any public servant not to abuse their authority or enrich themselves at the expense of others,” Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said.