Bacoor police chief sacked

Philippine National Police chief Police General Benjamin Acorda Jr. on Wednesday ordered the relief of Bacoor City Police Office in Cavite after two of his police sergeants were arrested in an entrapment operation conducted by operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group for allegedly collecting P1.5 million every month from transport operators in Bacoor.

The PNP chief stressed that he ordered the sacking of the Bacoor City Police Office chief for command responsibility.

"In line with our one-strike policy, the chief of police, he will be affected. He will be relieved. I will be giving the order as soon as we are done with our press conference," Acorda said.

CIDG director Maj. Gen. Romeo Caramat said the two cops were identified as Senior Master Sgt. Joselito Bugay, assigned as intelligence officer of the Bacoor City Police Station; and Staff Sgt. Gregor Bautista, also assigned to the Bacoor City Police Station.

"These policemen gained notoriety for allegedly extorting money from transport groups in Bacoor City. These individuals stand accused of collecting monthly payments or payola from tricycle operators, driver's associations, and other transport groups," Caramat said.

Also arrested was a civilian identified as John Louie de Leon while another, Edralin Gawaran, the head of the Bacoor Traffic Management Department of Bacoor City fled.

Acorda said the arrest of the suspects came during the conduct of entrapment operation in Barangay Molino in the morning of Tuesday and recovered from the suspects were three firearms and various ammunitions.

The PNP chief disclosed that the operation stemmed from a complaint from local transport leaders as well as the local government of Bacoor City on the said illegal activities involving cops.