Operatives of the Philippine National Police Integrity Monitoring Enforcement Group arrested the deputy chief of police of the Balayan Municipal Police Station after he allegedly demanded and extorted money to serve as weekly payola from a resident whom he accused of illegally operating "loteng."

PNP IMEG acting director Brig. Gen. Warren de Leon identified the suspect as Capt. Ruben Marilag, who was arrested by authorities in an entrapment operation.

The sting operation was conducted by joint elements of Team 4A, IMEG Luzon Field Unit, 35th Special Action Company, PNP Special Action Force, Balayan Municipal Police Station, and Provincial Intelligence Unit, Batangas Police Provincial Office.

"The operation stemmed from a complaint lodged against him for coercing and intimidating the victim into paying a weekly payola for the victim's 'loteng' operation. Accordingly, the said 'loteng' operation had already been stopped since March of 2021 when the victim was diagnosed with stage three colon cancer. Despite this, the suspect insists that the victim must pay for his weekly payola amounting to P2,000," De Leon said.