Manila cops in alleged robbery-extortion case surrender to authorities

The five cops who allegedly robbed a computer shop and attempted to extort money from its owner in Manila have surrendered to authorities.

According to Darlene Cay’s report on GMA Integrated News’ Unang Balita on Tuesday, the five cops initially surrendered to the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) in Camp Crame on Monday night.

The cops were identified as Staff Sergeant Jan Erwin Isaac, Staff Sergeant Ryann Paculan, Corporal Jonmark Dabucol, Patrolman Jhon Lester Pagar, and Patrolman Jeremiah Pascual.

They are members of the Manila Police District-Intelligence Operations Unit (MPD-IOU).

One of the accused cops, Pagar, said they have evidence that will prove that they are innocent.

“Nasa piskal na po ang kaso. Bale doon na lang po namin sasagutin ang mga alegasyon laban sa amin. Meron din po kaming mga ebidensyang hawak na nagpapatunay na wala po kaming kasalanan,” he said.

(The case is already in the prosecutor’s office. We will answer the allegations against us there. We also have evidence that will prove our innocence.)

For his part, Paculan said, “Kung public statement, yan po yung guided ng abogado. Ngayon po, for the meantime, wala na po muna kaming idadagdag dyan.”

(Our public statement is guided by a lawyer. In the meantime, we have nothing to add to that.)

The five cops were presented to Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Benjamin Acorda Jr. before they were transferred to MPD headquarters for medical screening and restrictive custody.

Before their surrender, an administrative complaint of grave misconduct and criminal complaint of robbery with intimidation were filed against the cops.

According to the owner of the computer shop, the five cops on July 11 suddenly entered the shop, identified themselves as the police, and accused him of running an illegal gambling den.

They then allegedly cleaned out his drawer of P44,000 and demanded a weekly protection pay of P4,000, the owner said.–Joviland Rita/ VAL, GMA Integrated News