The Police Regional Office (PRO)-6 has opened an investigation into an audio recording of a policeman allegedly extorting from the family of a person arrested in a drug operation.

The supposed policeman has introduced himself as a member of the Iloilo City Police Station 4.

In the recording, the policeman told the family of the drug suspect that the call was confidential. He also told the family that the suspect could still be released since the inquest proceedings in the case had not yet to start.

The policeman asked for P150,000 but the family of the drug suspect said they could only give P100,000.

The policeman also said the family could give the money to him at the police station.

The chief of Station 4, Capt. Ryan Christ Inot, declined a request for comment from GMA Regional TV Ratsada Balita.

Brig. General Randulf Tuaño, Director of PRO-6, said the audio recording might just be another scam like what those recorded in the past in Iloilo.

He said whoever is behind the possible scam has two targets: The family of persons arrested and the image of the police.

“Dalawang grupo ang kanilang tina-target dito, ang pamilya ng mga nahuhuli at ang imahe ng Philippine National Police,” Tuaño said.

He said suspects detained at the police station could never be released through schemes.

“Sa mga kababayan natin na may mga kamag-anak na nahuli ng PNP, na kapag po nasa police station na, no way po na mailalabas ang kanilang mga kamag-anak sa pamamagitan ng scheme na binabanggit ng audio recording na kumakalat.”