3 QC cops relieved over extortion during smoke-belching tests

Quezon City Police District director Chief Supt Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar said Wednesday he ordered the relief of the two police officers caught extorting money from motorists while conducting random smoke-belching tests.

Eleazar said apart from the two, their immediate supervisor was also relieved for command responsibility.

Eleazar said robbery extortion charges have been filed against SPO2 Raul Nadera and PO3 Anthony Tecson, who were nabbed by the Counter-Intelligence Task Force on Tuesday.

He said an additional charge of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition has been filed against Tecson.

"Additional case in violation of Republic Act 10591 was filed against Tecson, 'yung nakuhang firearms sa kanya walang lisensiya," he said.

Eleazar said he also relieved from his post SPO4 Redentor dela Cruz Fajardo, chief of the Motorcycle Unit of the District Traffic Enforcement Unit.

"SPO4 Fajardo was relieved in consonance with the command responsibility being the immediate supervisor of these kotong cops arrested by CITF yesterday," he said.

Asked if Fajardo was aware of the illegal activities of his subordinates, Eleazar said that is what they are investigating.

"'Yun ang iimbestigahan natin. Standard operating procedure na kapag may naarestong kotong cops, the immediate supervisor of these personnel will be relieved," he said.

He said the three were transferred to the District Headquarters Support Unit.

"I’ve also recommended to our regional director (NCRPO head Chief Supt. Oscar Albayalde) their transfer from QCPD to NCRPO while waiting for guidance or directive from high headquarters," he said.

He said the nine members of QC Anti-Smoke Belching Unit (ASBU) who have been arrested together with the two police officers have been turned over to their superior for further investigation.

"These nine personnel maga-undergo ng investigation, QCPD will assist the ASBU in the conduct of its investigation," he said. — MDM, GMA News