By Aaron Recuenco
Three police officials, all with a rank of major, are being subjected to summary dismissal proceedings for allegedly extorting money from bidders of the P334 million worth of body cameras being procured by the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Philippine National Police (MANILA BULLETIN)
They were identified as Majors Emerson Sales, Rholly Caraggayan, and Angel Beros.
“In line with President Duterte’s anti-corruption campaign, they have been subjected to summary dismissal proceedings,” said PNP spokesman Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac.
“They may also face criminal charges if evidence warrants, for alleged extortion in connection with the P334M procurement of body cameras,” he added.
The procurement of body cameras started in 2017 following a public clamor over doubts on the police claims that the drug suspects who were killed had tried to engage them in a gunfight.
Similar to the case of 17-year old Kian delos Santos, who allegedly tried to shoot cops but it later turned out that he was executed, which triggered calls for police to wear body cameras during police operations for transparency.
Congress funded the PNP with more than P300 million for procurement but all efforts to obtain cameras since last year would always fail, until the case of extortion is exposed.
Banac said Sales and Caraggayan already went AWOL (Absent Without Official Leave) while Beros is still in active service.
It was reportedly one of the losing bidders who spilled the beans on the three police officials who are all part of the committee formed to procure body cameras.