Crissy Dimatulac, CNN Philippines
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 18) — Police officers allegedly involved in robbery and extortion at a computer shop in Manila surrendered one after another to Presidential Anti-organized Crime Commission undersecretary Gilbert Cruz Monday evening.
Three of the five cops were the first to turn themselves in, followed by the other two.
The suspects were then presented to Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief PGen Benjamin Acorda before they were turned over to the Manila Police District (MPD) on the same night.
\”Under MPD restrictive custody sila while undergoing investigation yung case nila,\” said district director PBGen Andre Dizon, who added that the cops have surrendered their firearms.
\”Wala pa naman pong warrant of arrest na nirelease sa kanila…closely monitored po sila, kumbaga yung movement nila dapat alam ng MPD,\” he also said.
[Translation: They are under MPD restrictive custody while their case is being investigated. No warrants of arrest against them have been released so far. They are being closely monitored, meaning the MPD must know their movements.]
The five policemen surfaced after Acorda ordered the PNP Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group and Intelligence Group to help in the manhunt operation.
One of them insisted that their operation was legitimate, claiming they have evidence to prove their innocence.
The officer also said their operation was done to revalidate information and evidence they received on supposed illegal gambling activities in the computer shop.
