Alleged extortion delays PNP body cam project

The alleged multi-million extortion racket of three middle-ranking police officials has delayed the effort of the Philippine National Police (PNP) to expedite the procurement of body cameras that were planned to be used by police anti-narcotics agents in their illegal drugs operations.

Lt. Gen. Archie Gamboa, PNP officer in charge, said they immediately ordered the relief of the three police majors from being members of the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) after one of the losing bidders squealed about the alleged extortion.

Gamboa identified the three cops as Police Majors Emerson Sales, Rholly Carggayan and Angel Berros, members of the Technical Working Group of the PNP-BAC.

“The allegation is that (they demanded) ₱5 million for the three of them,” said Gamboa.

“We have evidence against them because there were even cheques issued in their names,” he added.

Investigators believe that the three cops might have earned more since there are suspicions that they also asked millions from at least four losing bidders.

Gamboa said of the four, only one of the losing bidders spilled the beans on the alleged extortion activity of the three policemen who allegedly made a promise that the ₱334million contract for body cameras would be awarded if they pay ₱5 million.

The losing bidder was apparently irked after giving ₱5 million but still ending up disqualified.

“The three other losing bidders who we talked to would not talk. It was the fourth losing bidder who complained and cooperated with our investigation,” he said.

Aside from ordering their relief, Gamboa said he also ordered that the three cops be subjected to summary dismissal proceedings.

“I think within the month of November we will be coming up with the verdict but I am sure that they will be dismissed because this is also part of our anti-corruption campaign,” said Gamboa.

Sales and Caraggayan reportedly went on AWOL (Absent Without Official Leave) while Berros is still on active duty.

Aside from an administrative case, the official said that separate criminal charges will also be filed against them through the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).

In 2017, Congress allocated more than ₱300 million for the procurement of body cameras. The funds were release in 2018.

Gamboa, who then heads the PNPBAC, said they immediately drafted specifications and terms of reference of the needed bodycams for police antidrugs operatives.

A total of eight local suppliers joined the bidding last year.

“In the middle of the post-qualification, I have found out as chairman of the BAC that three of my men in the technical working group were asking money from the proponent,” said Gamboa.

“So there was controversy and it resulted in the delay of the post qualification because I have to deal with it,” he added.

After the issue was ironed out, all the eight who joined the bidding did not meet the specifications of the PNP. This caused further delay in the procurement process.