CIDG-NCR head, 12 others fired for robbery-extortion

A police colonel and 12 of his men from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) were kicked out of their posts over cases of robbery and extortion involving Chinese businessmen in Parañaque City on March 13.

Relieved from his post as CIDG-National Capital Region director was Colonel Hansel Marantan. Also sacked were two CIDG-NCR officers and 10 police non-commissioned officers.

Police Lieutenant General Rhodel Sermonia, deputy chief for administration of the Philippine National Police (PNP), said he was informed of the incident when some of the victims went to his office to lodge a complaint.

According to the victims, they were playing mahjong inside a house in Parañaque City when the police arrived and told them that their presence was due to complaints from neighbors allegedly over their loud noises.

But Sermonia said the police started arresting all those present and even took assorted jewelry and P3 million cash from the vault.

“The 13 arrested personalities were brought to the CIDG-NCR office (Camp Crame) and then in exchange for their freedom they gave money to our operatives,” said Sermonia, adding that the complainants were threatened with being slapped with illegal gambling charges. 

The official said the CIDG operatives should have filed the cases.

Some of the jewelry, including two expensive watches, were recovered.