3 police majors in body cam extortion dismissed

Three police majors were dismissed from the service a year after they were discovered to have extorted at least R5 million from a bidder in the PNP’s purchase of body cameras worth R300 million.

Lt. Gen. Archie Gamboa, officerin-charge of the Philippine National Police (PNP), said that he signed the dismissal on Monday based on the recommendation of a probe body that handled their case.

"Today (Monday), I will sign their dismissal from the service," said Gamboa.

Those kicked out of the PNP were Police Majors Emerson Sales, Rholly Caraggayan, and Angel Beros.

Sales and Caraggayan were no longer reporting for duty because administrative charges were filed against them.

The PNP leadership has been processing the procurement of thousands of body cameras last year after Congress approved the R330 million fund for the purpose.

But the procurement hit a snag after the three officials, all members of the

Technical Working Group of the Bids and Awards Committee of the PNP, were monitored to be contacting the bidders.

Gamboa, head of the BAC, said they talked to three bidders to confirm their information but only one of them squealed, saying a total of R5 million was given to the three police officials.

The bidder who spilled the beans was apparently disappointed after he lost despite an assurance that he would bag the contract after paying R5 million.

Gamboa said there were checks issued for the three cops which were presented by the bidder as evidence.

The corruption scandal; caused the delay of the procurement. Currently, the PNP is racing against time to buy body cameras since failure to do so within the year would mean the R330 million fund would return to the National Treasury.

"As I promised, we will be transparent on this case. We will dismiss swiftly, as fast as we could, those who are guilty," said Gamboa.

The three cops have still 10 days to appeal their dismissal.