PRO-6 probes alleged Iloilo police extortion

By Jennifer P. Rendon

Police Regional Office 6 said it is treating reports of corruption within its ranks with gravity.

PRO-6 issued the statement following the circulation of an audio recording allegedly involving a member of the Iloilo City Police Station 4 and the family of an arrested drug suspect.

The regional police office said it had taken cognizance of information circulating on social media about the alleged extortion attempt.

“PRO-6 has immediately initiated validation and fact-finding to establish the authenticity of the information and identify the persons involved. Pending the outcome of the investigation, it would be premature to draw conclusions based solely on an audio recording or social media posts,” the statement added.

“Should the investigation establish that individuals falsely represented themselves as police officers to extort money or deceive the family of an arrested person, appropriate criminal charges will be pursued,” it said.

PRO-6 also warned that police personnel found to have engaged in unlawful or improper acts would be dealt with swiftly and in accordance with the law.

The regional police office also cautioned the public against the unauthorized use of the Philippine National Police’s name or identity to defraud people and undermine public trust in the organization.

“The public is strongly advised not to give money to anyone claiming they can facilitate the release or bail of an arrested person without first verifying the information with the concerned police station or through official PNP communication channels. Legitimate police procedures do not require payments to individual police officers for the release or processing of criminal cases,” it added.

The alleged “kotong,” or extortion, recording purportedly captured a man claiming to be an ICPS4 officer asking the family of arrested drug suspect Lovi Poe to pay PHP 150,000 for his release.

Poe confirmed that the woman heard in the recording was his sister, Rhea.

Police Capt. Ryan Christ Inot, ICPS4 chief, denied that members of his station had asked or attempted to ask for money in exchange for the release of a suspect.

Poe, a gay hairdresser, and his live-in partner were arrested following a months-long surveillance operation in Molo district late on June 26.

The couple allegedly sold a sachet of suspected shabu worth PHP 14,100 to an undercover police officer.

Members of ICPS4 also seized a knotted plastic bag and four large sachets containing suspected shabu.

Police said the seized drugs weighed about 200 grams and had a standard drug price of PHP 1.36 million.