Two PNP-HPG personnel in Agusan del Sur arrested

March 10, 2020

The Philippine National Police- Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group (PNP-IMEG) on Monday arrested two personnel of the PNP- Highway Patrol Group (HPG) in an entrapment operation in Agusan del Sur.

Police Colonel Ronald Oliver Lee, PNP-IMEG director, said Police Staff Sergeant Eddie Manguilimotan,54, and Corporal Ralfe Meraflor,33 were arrested in Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur around 9:30 pm for forcing drivers of delivery trucks and vans to give them money so they can pass.

“This is in line with our continuing effort to identify and arrest ‘so-called ‘kotong’ policemen as part of the massive internal cleansing program ordered by (PNP chief) General (Archie) Gamboa,” Lee said.

PNP-IMEG received complaints from drivers of delivery trucks and vans against the two members of the Agusan del Sur Provincial Highway Patrol Team, claiming they were being forced to shell out money each time they pass in their areas.

“We launched the entrapment operation shortly after our undercover officers validated the information following days of surveillance,” Lee said.

He said during the operation, the two policemen were found in possession of P2, 500 in marked money.

The arrested police officers will face charges for robbery-extortion against the two policemen.

Lee said they will recommend to the PNP-HPG director, Police Brigadier General Eliseo Cruz, filing of administrative charges for grave misconduct against the two accused who are now under the custody of the IMEG Mindanao Field Unit.

Lee urged the public to report rogue cops and assured them their identities will be kept in utmost secrecy.

“We assure that the identities of all complainants and providers of information about erring policemen will be kept in utmost secrecy. We also assure the public that all information are being subjected to full validation by our men prior to the launching of appropriate actions including entrapment and buy-bust operations,” he said. Ella Dionisio/DMS