Police extortion

But just last week, operatives from Mabolo station raided the “peryahan” and seized several items like gaming tables, roleta, etc.

Aweek ago, I exposed in my dySS Super Radyo program and in my Superbalita column the attempt by some Mabolo Police station operatives to extort weekly protection money from an operator of a “peryahan” in Nivel Hills, Busay Cebu City. This “peryahan” operates in the place every year in time of the annual fiesta, which is set every last Sunday of January. The operator, who comes from Leyte, is renting a small portion of lot along the main street.

Sources said that in early December, two unidentified policemen who introduced themselves as being from the Mabolo Police station, visited the place and demanded P3,000 and one sack of Ganador rice from the operator as weekly protection money. They allegedly name-dropped their station’s chief, Clark Arriola. This is a plain and simple extortion.

The operator complained saying he could not afford the amount because his business is small, he has his people to pay in the operation and he has family to feed. he was able to talk with Arriola, who is a resident of Nivel Hills. He denied having ordered his men to demand weekly protection money from the operator. Arriola promised he would talk to his men. The two policemen didn’t come back. Maybe Arriola called their attention.

Two weeks later, another group of policemen came. They introduced themselves as being from the Regional Intelligence Division (R2) of the Police Regional Office (PRO) 7. They demanded weekly protection money. Sources said the operator succumbed to the demand as the policemen name- dropped their superior.

But just last week, operatives from Mabolo station raided the “peryahan” and seized several items like gaming tables, roleta, etc. They claimed these were illegal as the games involve money. This even if the operator showed a permit issued by City Hall.

If the “games” were illegal, why did City Hall issue the permit? And why raid the place only now? Had the operator succumbed to the demand for a weekly protection money, will the place still be raided?

What got me was that the raiders supposedly told the operator. Ilang gimanduan ang operator nga pahilumon ko kay aron dili na siya i- raid ug iuli ang ilang gikompiskar. Hinampak ning mga pulisa. Naluoy ko sa operator kay iyang negosyo napagan gumikan sa akong expose. Apan unsa may gusto nila nga mopiyong lang ko sa akong nahibaw-an sa ilang mga binuang?

Is this the kind of policemen we have? I thought they have changed because of strict policies implemented by the Duterte administration?

I challenge the police leadership in the city under Joel Doria and Regional Director Jose Mario Espino to raid all the “peryahan” in the city and in the region, including the one operating at the South Road Properties (SRP). Depende ra diay sa makahatag? And mind you, this is just a small operation compared with those of big-time illegal gambling operators.

I was informed that the Investigation and Detection Management Branch (IDMB) of PRO 7 will investigate the matter. I hope this will be done thoroughly and those involved disciplined.

As I said, the president has no wish to extend his term. If the Constitution can be amended to privide for federalism and to provide for provisions that would strengthen public accountability, he has said he is willing to cut short his term. PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESPERSON HARRY ROQUE