3 cops nabbed for extorting from jail visitors

Authorities arrested three policemen at the Caloocan Police Station for allegedly extorting from the visitors of inmates.

In Marisol Abdurahman’s Tuesday report on “24 Oras,” the Philippine National Police Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group (PNP IMEG) said one of them is a police major.

Families of the inmates complained that they were asked to pay to visit their loved ones.

“Everytime daw po silang bumibisita sa kanilang relatives na nasa preso po sa Caloocan police station at hinihingan sila ng fee per prisoner,” said Captain Mary Jane Cuevas, PNP IMEG spokesperson.

(Every time they visit their loved ones at the Caloocan Police Station, the relatives are asked to pay for every inmate.)

Based on the information of PNP IMEG, relatives were charged P200 to see the inmate and an additional P100 if they brought food.

The suspects will charge P550 if the visitors use the hut near the police station, and there will also be extra fees for exceeding the one-hour visit.

Cuevas said visitors usually pay P1,500 per visit and it has been going on for a while.

Two PDLs were also involved in the visiting scheme as they were tasked to receive the payment.

GMA Integrated News is seeking comments from the accused.

The arrested policemen are under the custody of PNP IMEG and facing complaints such as robbery, extortion and prohibited transaction. —Mariel Celine Serquiña/LDF, GMA Integrated News