PNP chief relieves entire precint force over extortion

Police Gen. Rodolfo Azurin, Jr., chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), ordered on Monday, Aug. 22. the relief of the entire police force of the Paco Police Community Precinct in Manila following the involvement of three of its personnel in the alleged extortion racket that victimized a tricycle driver on Aug. 15.

Azurin said those who would be relieved will be replaced with a new commander and new police personnel.

“This is a way of sending a strong message that we are serious in our internal cleansing process,” said Azurin in a press briefing at Camp Crame on Monday.

Police Staff Sgt. Erwin Licuasen, 34; Police Corporal Chimber Importa, 33; and, Patrolman Leopoldo Tuason, 39, were arrested by the operatives of the Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group (IMEG) in an entrapment operation after they were accused of extorting ₱2,000 from a tricycle owner.

The complainant said the cops impounded his tricycle for traffic violation and told him that it would only be released if he would pay ₱2,000.

The three cops are now detained and facing dismissal from the PNP, aside from the criminal charges that have been leveled against them.

Azurin said the relief of the entire police force in Paco PCP is part of his directive for the commanders to exercise supervision over their men.

“The immediate commanders have the authority to relieve their erring personnel. If they fail to do that, the next in line commanders have the authority to relieve all the police unit,” said Azurin. “They should be out, they should be relieved, and they should be sent to training.” (Aaron B. Recuenco)