13 CIDG-NCR personnel, including chief, relieved from posts as PNP probes alleged extortion

At least 13 personnel of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group - National Capital Region (CIDG-NCR) have been relieved from their posts to give way to the investigation into alleged extortion, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Thursday.

"'Yung director ng CIDG, he immediately relieved the 13 PNP personnel so that they may not influence po itong pong gagawing investigation laban sa kanila [the investigation against them],” PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo told reporters.

CIDG Brigadier General Romeo Caramat said 10 of the relieved personnel are police non-commissioned officers while three are police commissioned officers, according to Super Radyo dzBB’s Mark Makalalad.

PNP chief Police General Rodolfo Azurin Jr. said CIDG-NCR chief Police Colonel Hansel Marantan was also relieved from his post due to "command responsibility."

PNP deputy chief for administration Lieutenant General Rhodel Sermonia said they received a complaint about CIDG-NCR personnel who arrested 13 people for illegal gambling in a compound in Parañaque.

According to Sermonia, the police personnel allegedly asked for money from the arrested individuals for their release.

“Dinala sila dito sa CIDG-NCR, mga 13 arrested personalities. Then in exchange for their freedom, that is according again to the complainant, ay nagbigay sila ng halaga sa ating operatives,” he told reporters.

(Around 13 arrested personalities were brought here at CIDG-NCR. According to the complainant, they gave the officers money in exchange for their freedom.)

During the operation, Sermonia said the CIDG-NCR personnel also allegedly confiscated a vault containing P3 million, as well as jewelry, watches, and bags from the arrested individuals.

In a report by Cedric Castillo on 24 Oras, Sermonia said that the victims were neighbors.

“Magkakapitbahay na mga Chinese businessmen, nagma-mahjong sila dalawang table daw. May nag-complain daw na maingay. Nung nakapasok na sila, they started arresting these Chinese nationals.”

(They were playing mahjong on two tables. Somebody complained about the noise. When the CIDG got inside, they started arresting the Chinese nationals.)

Sermonia said that the complainants said that about P3 million was taken from their vault.

Fajardo said Marantan requested to be removed from his position to give way to the investigation.

“It’s a matter of standard operating procedure. Anybody or anyone who is being investigated for any involvement must be relieved so as not to have undue influence,” said CIDG Director Police Brigadier General Romeo Caramat.

Marantan was the leader of the law enforcement team implicated in the 2013 Atimonan massacre, in which 12 people were killed in what the respondents claimed was a legitimate operation against criminal elements but was later ruled by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) as a rubout. Marantan was dismissed from service but reinstated in 2017 after an appeal. He was promoted to colonel in 2021.

According to the 24 Oras report, apart from his request to be removed due to the investigation, Marantan has also submitted a courtesy resignation.

GMA Integrated News is trying to reach him for comment. —Joviland Rita/KBK/BM, GMA Integrated News